KISSI Awonor is a Ghanaian businessman, based in Accra. His core business is electronics. In Accra and its environs, Awonor is well known as a major dealer in assorted electronics, as he owns electronics stores all over Ghana. On August 26, he arrived the Alaba International Market, in Lagos, Nigeria, for his usual bulk purchase. He had arrived at about 8 a.m. as he is wont to do in order to complete the purchases early enough to return to Accra.
When he arrived at the market, the shops and stalls were not only locked up but the entire place was deserted, unusually.
He reckoned that it was a Thursday, a day set aside for the once-a-week clean up exercise being observed in markets throughout Lagos State between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. So, he elected to endure. As slowly as it seemed, the clock ticked 10 while he waited at a corner nearby in the hope that commercial activities would resume soon. Again, the clock ticked 11 a.m. And soon it was 12 noon, Awonor did not find any known face among the passers-by, meanwhile, the stalls were still locked up. He, at this moment of fleeting thoughts called one of his suppliers on the phone, who announced the Igbo sit-at-home protest with palpable enthusiasm. It was on this note that Awonor returned to Accra.
On that Thursday, it was not business as usual in the market dominated by Igbos of the South-East Nigeria, throughout the Federation. But like Awonor, many were caught by surprise following the total paralysis of trade and commerce in the country, occasioned by the sit-at-home protest.
It was learnt that hundreds of traders from neighbouring countries, who were at the Alaba International Market for their normal bulk buy, got stranded. For, the electronics market is reputed as the biggest in the West Africa sub-region, necessitating foreigners to patronise the market.
The stay-at-home protest was declared by a sovereign seeking group known as Movement For the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) led by Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, a 43 year old lawyer. MASSOB, an all Igbo socio-political group with the goal of proclaiming the Republic of Biafra, boasts of membership strength of about five million Igbos in Nigeria and in the diaspora. One peculiar streak, as well as amazing profile of MASSOB is that Igbo elite are in support of the group even though they are not registered members.
Whenever the group announces its plan of activities, the Igbos would, without questioning it, identify with such activities. They may give their backing in principle but not overtly as was the case with August 26. This is not an exaggeration.
On that historic day, not only the market men and women sat at home, many Igbo professionals did obey the call. And surprisingly, those in government did also. In this particular case, although they did not shun work on that day, they endorsed the MASSOB strategy as the protest discussions gained pro-style adopted by Uwazuruike still marvels many, including the Federal Government.
In fact, the success of the call was talk of the town days after it was observed. A day before the D’day, the fear of the protest had spread across the country with many observers doubting its success. In the evening of that day, somewhere around the popular Tokunboh Motor Village — where fairly used imported vehicles are sold, along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Lagos, the businessmen here, majority of whom are Igbos staged a mock protest.
Quite unusual, the traders organised for themselves a small rally with scores flying the Biafra flag. On inquiry, they described their action as an attempt to resurrect the Biafra spirit. With this, the stage was set for the D-day. And when the day came, the ever bustling Tokunboh Village was a ghost yard. Eatries around the motor village also closed shop. Such was the effect of the protest.
In assessing the impact of the protest, some keen observers while applauding MASSOB leader expressed fears that the Federal Government would descend on the group, using all available means. Because the government feels it is an embarrassment, too costly to bear.
In the first place, the Federal Government which in its wisdom did not expect the huge success of the protest, drew a conclusion from the backdrop that the Igbo are disunited people that would not rally to a common front. This reading of the Igbo political spirit was inferred from the 2003 presidential election which witnessed the emergence of 12 presidential aspirants from South-East alone. To many, this development was ridiculous for a zone that cries marginalisation and clamours for presidential slot.
The government misread the mood, and therefore was shocked by the general endorsement of the protest by Igbos and even, non-Igbos who sympathised with the zone.
Another fear expressed by keen observers was that government would likely invoke instruments of coercion (including money) to split MASSOB. Observers believe that the endless disputes between members of the Oodua Peoples Congress OPC and Egbesu Boys, and other consequent factions were caused by government. Would MASSOB allow itself to be split? Would Uwazuruike buckle?
It is not as if the Federal Government has not tried to suppress the group. Several attempts had been made, and are still being made.
For instance, MASSOB secretariat in Okigwe, Imo State, has been raided, with members arrested, detained and prosecuted. The movement has claimed that its members had been killed by security operatives of the Federal Government who shot at the group when meetings were being held.
But Uwazuruike has continued to explain to the world that MASSOB is for non-violence. He says that MASSOB’s objective will be realised in the same approach with which Mahatma Ghandi secured independence for India.
Asked whether it is possible to achieve independence without violence?
He said: “All I know is that many countries of the world today have gained independence through non-violence and we have adopted the same process. Did Nigeria and Ghana fight to gain independence?”
Despite its non violence style and the several vows of Uwazuruike that MASSOB would not resort to violent means, the Federal Government has declared MASSOB as a rebel group.
Reacting to the August 26 protest, the Federal Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Chief Akinolu Olujimi (SAN) stated that “the group will henceforth be regarded as a rebel group.” The minister vowed that MASSOB would be crushed for daring to agitate for independence from the corporate entity called Nigeria.
He said: “MASSOB is sponsoring a return to Biafra and this is treasonable felony.” Speaking in the same vein, Vice President Atiku Abubakar expressed surprise at press attention given the MASSOB stay-at-home protest which he described as treasonable publications. “We fought the war to keep this country together, yet, there is somebody still talking of Biafra ...” he said.
But what is MASSOB’s offence for successfully persuading traders to boycott the markets?
Hear Chief Mike Okoye, a constitutional lawyer and rights activists: “I respect the views of the Attorney-General. However, as an individual and a lawyer, I do not think that MASSOB has done anything legally speaking to be labelled as rebels.
I don’t think that MASSOB has declared any war, and if a group of people decide to legitimately request or agitate that they want to opt out of Nigeria, I do not think in fact and in law, it makes them rebels. It is legitimate, it is lawful and it is within the African Charter for any group of people who feel dissatisfied with their stay in a particular country to agitate for independence. In fact, that they agitate for independence does not in fact and in law make them rebels.”
Speaking in the same vein, Chief Mike Ozekhome, also a constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, says that he disagrees with
Attorney-General declaring MASSOB as rebels. “MASSOB is not a rebel group. It is a group formed for self-determination of Ndi-Igbo, a major, indeed one of the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria.” Speaking in defence of MASSOB, leader of the defunct Biafra Republic, Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu said the Igbo are free to opt for Biafra since the perceived frustrations that led them to war are still present in the Nigerian federation.
Similarly Festus Keyamo, a lawyer, said MASSOB is not a rebel group. He reasons: “I have not seen MASSOB take up arms against the Federal Government. I have not seen MASSOB shoot and kill people. I have not seen MASSOB preach bloodshed. So, I am still at a loss to know where the rebellion is coming from.”
Whether MASSOB will succumb to official intimidation, only Uwazuruike and other members can answer this question.
