Kanu's Silence: A Dangerous Game

There are pivotal moments in history that serve as a crucible, testing and revealing the true mettle of a nation's leadership. These are...

There are pivotal moments in history that serve as a crucible, testing and revealing the true mettle of a nation's leadership. These are times when hypocrisy is laid bare, and the present era is proving no different, particularly for the political establishment in Igboland. The fact that Omoyele Sowore – a Yoruba activist known for his unwavering stance against injustice – is spearheading a significant protest in Abuja, advocating for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, underscores a complex mix of emotions. It evokes admiration for Sowore's unwavering resolve and a sense of profound disappointment in the conspicuous silence of those who should be at the forefront of this fight.

The Cost of Silence

There is a tipping point where silence ceases to be prudent and morphs into betrayal. For the Igbo political elite, that point has long been surpassed. Yet, many remain conspicuously quiet while Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, remains in detention, facing conditions that defy legal and ethical standards.

The irony is almost unbearable. While certain Igbo governors and politicians have adopted a strategy of appeasement, bending over backward to gain favor with the powers in Abuja, defecting between parties, and cozying up to the very establishment that holds Kanu, a Yoruba man is facing potential repercussions like police brutality and intimidation by leading a national protest in Abuja demanding Kanu’s freedom.

A Paradoxical Portrait

Where are the self-proclaimed champions of Igbo interests – those who campaigned on promises of equity, freedom, and justice? Where are the supposed guardians of the Igbo conscience, from the governors' opulent residences to the respected halls of Ohaneze Ndigbo? The very political class that professes to defend Igbo interests finds itself overshadowed by an outsider who refuses to remain silent in the face of injustice.

This paints a paradoxical portrait of contemporary Nigerian politics. A Yoruba activist is on the streets fighting for the liberty of an Igbo man, while Igbo governors are actively courting the ruling party, the same party that has transformed Kanu’s detention into a symbol of political coercion. This speaks volumes about the moral decay within Igbo leadership, a betrayal that cuts deep, not only because of Kanu's ongoing plight but because it reveals how far the Igbo political elite have strayed from the people they claim to represent.

Political Opportunism

Many Igbo politicians have turned Kanu’s situation into a political tool, a bargaining chip to secure their own access to power. Their public statements are driven by expediency and cowardice, not by principle. Their silence is not diplomacy; it is complicity. Their talk of "political solutions" has long been a smokescreen for self-preservation. For years, Kanu's name has served as a political asset in the South-East – a convenient slogan for campaigns, a talking point for rallies, and a bargaining chip for politicians seeking favors from the federal government. However, when genuine action is required, when the cameras are off and the stakes are high, these same leaders retreat into silence, their courage evaporating in the face of political calculation.

Even Ohaneze Ndigbo, once the respected socio-cultural organization and moral compass of the Igbo nation, now resembles a press office for cautious appeasement rather than the voice of a proud people. The organization’s leadership has been generous with platitudes aimed at political relevance but lacking in principle. Instead of mobilizing the moral authority of Igbo society to demand justice, they have settled for lukewarm statements and "behind-the-scenes engagements" that achieve little. Governors who should be uniting their people in solidarity with a fellow Igbo son instead present themselves at federal banquets, eager to demonstrate their loyalty to those in power.

History's Verdict

Sowore's actions have exposed the contradictions within Igbo politics. As an outsider to the South-East, he has become a more vocal advocate for Igbo dignity than many who claim to represent it. He has nothing to gain – no political patronage, no ethnic advantage, no electoral benefit – yet, driven by a clear sense of justice, he takes to the streets because he understands that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Meanwhile, Igbo politicians who once capitalized on Igbo grievances but now fear offending Abuja, dine with those who perpetuate those grievances, their silence highlighting how comfort can dull the conscience.

A Call to Conscience

This situation should deeply trouble every conscience in Igboland. The true test of leadership lies not in the comfort of offices or the eloquence of speeches but in the courage to stand up when it comes at a cost. On this measure, many Igbo politicians have fallen short. This is not solely about Kanu; it is about dignity, justice, and moral consistency. It is about whether the people will continue to allow their destiny to be dictated by fear and opportunism. If an outsider must lead the call for justice for an Igbo son, what does that say about the moral integrity of those who claim to speak for the Igbo nation?

History will not overlook this moment. It will remember who spoke out and who remained silent. It will recall who stood for justice and who traded it for political favors. It will record that while a Yoruba man raised his voice for justice, many Igbo politicians, who should have stood tall, chose to bow low. And when the dust settles, the people will remember who stood for truth and who sold it for personal gain. When the story of Nnamdi Kanu’s struggle is recounted, the shame of the Igbo political class will be etched not in ink but in the quiet contempt of a people betrayed by their own.