By Ojonugwa Ugboja
In defiance to court orders and conditions for bail, Nnamdi Kanu has been found in gatherings of more than ten people and have also spoken with the international media outlet, Al Jazeera (http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/05/50-years-nigeria-biafra-secessionist-movement-170529151102396.html ) on Tuesday.
“Nothing seems to be working in Nigeria. There is pain and hardship everywhere. What we’re fighting [for] is not self-determination for the sake of it. It’s because Nigeria is not functioning and can never function.” he said.
“I’m not allowed to contest for the presidency of Nigeria because I’m Igbo. I’m not allowed to aspire to become the inspector general of police because I’m Igbo. I’m not allowed to become chief of army staff because I’m Igbo. What sort of stupid country is that?” Kanu asks. “Why would any idiot want me to be in that sort of country?”
The interview points out issues of marginalisation and how much the Igbos feel haunted by the gory past and how the failure of good governance in Nigeria continues to fuel such sentiments.
But when asked if he is worried that he will get in trouble with the Nigerian authorities for speaking to Al Jazeera he scoffs, “I don’t care.”
“I can’t go outside to call for a press conference. I can’t go on Biafra Radio to broadcast. I can’t allow large [groups of] people to basically congregate outside to see me … it’s like asking me not to breathe,” he says.
His bail conditions prohibit him from being in a crowd of more than 10 people, leaving the country and giving media interviews.