By Obiotika Wilfred Toochukwu
It’s pertinent to address matters of concern amongst the Igbos, especially at a time Nigeria has found herself at crossroads. Still,it would be superfluous to deliberate on the issue of betrayal for the person of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe from his own people. Over the years, there has been a split amongst the Igbos over Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe’ hero posture.
Many still denigrate and regard Zik as an impostor,an enemy or a deceived political juggernaut. Historians have written so many things in defense and condemnation of Zik. Zik lived and died a patriotic and egalitarian Nigerian leader. Twenty-eight years after the death of the statesman, many still trouble themselves, cause havoc, bring mistrust and confuse fellow tribesmen on the achievements of Zik especially for the Igbos.
In the first place, the arguments over the heroic position of Zik came as a result of the rift, crisis between Lt. Col. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu (4 November 1933- 26 November 2011) and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (16 November 1904- 11 May 1996). Both of them have many aspirations, goals and objectives in common with searing differences.
Both of them became the first presidents of the country they believed in. Both of them were born in Zungeru in the Northern Nigeria. Both of them studied in Lincoln Universities – one in Pennsylvania, the other in Oxford. Nonetheless, the sharp differences between Emeka Ojukwu and Zik has been warping our perception and gnawing at many souls.
The Ahiara Declaration of June 1,1969 in which amongst other principles of the Biafran Revolution, General Ojukwu decreed that it would only be one man one house in the land of Biafra. Initially, the conspiracy had started when after several mediation, Zik travelled to Lagos in 1968. As Yakubu Gowon was informed by the press concerning the arrival of Zik in Lagos, he willy nilly accepted Zik together with his son in the Dodan Barracks and they had other deliberations. Zik was not privileged to have a wealthy father as Sir Louis Philip Odumegwu Ojukwu who was a director in more than eighteen companies. Unfortunately, Sir Louis had all his investments in Lagos and other parts of the country but none in the Eastern Region.
With the rejection of Aburi-style Confederation in Lagos and the massacre of the Igbos in the Northern Nigeria, the Governor of Eastern Region, Lt. Col. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu declared the sovereignty and Independence of Biafra in 1967. This singular act had turned Ojukwu to be the greatest hero for the Igbos.
Do we need to compare Ojukwu and Zik? The Republic in her discourse on Ojukwu as a controversial leader of the short-lived Republic of Biafra stated that before Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu died in 2011, he had assumed four personalities – a hero, a villain, a rebel and even a ‘one Nigerianist’.
Driven by envy, jealousy and lovelessness, many easterners are led to scrutinize the foremost nationalist, pan Africanist, in his quest for national unity, commitment to the indivisibility and indissolubility of Nigeria as a frivolity. Zik had identified Awolowo as the initiator of tribalism in Nigeria Politics. Kaduna Nzeogwu also identified the Sarduana of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, as tribalistic leader, who through nepotism destroyed the discipline and orderliness in the army.
Those who have taken the comparison of Zik with anybody, did not recall that before the first Military Coup in 1966, we have the Igbos coming first in every public institution in Nigeria during the first republic. Very soon, they would compare Dr. Alex Ekwueme whom Ojukwu had creamed as being older than him but he is taller. Some of the men celebrated today like Ojike Mbonu were one of the many sent to Lincoln by Zik. It’s unarguable that there’s no one, more Igbo than Zik who had no investment in any other part of the country except in the east.
It’s a surprise to learn that Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe betrayed the Igbos. To use us to change the world, God changes our assignments. Zik transitioned from a poor black boy in America to a nationalist who made preparations for Nigeria’s Independence. All of us should be more concerned about a nation trying to tax itself to prosperity.
We all desire a country where every citizen can survive, thrive, exist and flourish. The new tax Regime aims solely at the struggles of Igbo traders. Obafemi Awolowo did same as a Finance Minister and dumped the proceeds in the defunct Soviet Union.
Nigeria has found herself in the greatest moral and political crisis since 1960 Independence. She clutches gradually towards a revolution. Some media are more of propaganda than truth. Our children are being taught that Nigeria is a scam, that tribal theories of bigotry and nepotism are more idealistic, that Nigeria’s laws, institutions, values and traditions are mere walkover and must be destroyed.
It’s said that you can’t purify water by painting the pump but political leaders in Nigeria would do virtually anything. Change is not only a part of life; change is a necessary part of transformation strategy. Change brings fear, insecurity,sorrow and stress. But Nigerians do not want the change advocated by APC.
Obiotika Wilfred Toochukwu writes from St. Anthony’s Catholic Comprehensive Institute, Agulu, Anambra State, Nigeria.
