Nearly six weeks after it started, President Muhammadu Buhari finally reacted to the agitation for
These following sum up the President's position on the Biafran agitation:
* "Government would not fold
its arms and watch, while some individuals and groups create unnecessary
tension in the country in the guise of seeking to break away from Nigeria ."
* "Let me again call on persons
or groups in the country who have some grievances to submit to peaceful and democratic
means of expressing themselves."
* "I therefore sound a note
of serious warning that the corporate existence of Nigeria as a single entity is not a
subject of debate and will not be compromised."
Now, the fact that it took the President nearly two months to comment on
a matter that had elicited three specific threats of military response by his
field commanders probably makes the point that, in his graph of national
importance, the Biafran agitation is no more than a vexatious distraction.
But, it is still welcome that he spoke late than not at all. What if he
decided against uttering a word on the subject? After all, he has so far
treated all the substantiated reports of the rampage and wanton killings of
Fulani herdsmen across the length and breadth of Nigeria with a deafening silence.
He has also treated in the same manner all the calls for his government to
address the report of the properly constituted National Conference of 2014.
Now, it is assumed in quarters that claim comprehensive understanding
of President Buhari's brand of politics that the man is not given to talking
glibly. He is said to expend enormously in the critical sector of
consideration before he ever deems it necessary to make a public statement.
This means that it is in the best interest of those who have heard to accept
that what the President has said on the Biafra
agitation is his irreducible stance.