Clerics blame British amalgamation for Biafra agitation

DDM News

Nnamdi Kanu’s court appearance has reignited conversations on Nigeria’s colonial past and its enduring national unity crisis.

According to Diaspora digital media (DDM), the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, remains in detention over charges relating to treason and incitement.

His continued detention has triggered fresh criticism from Igbo religious leaders and pro-Biafra activists alike.

A group of clerics under the banner of Concerned Igbo Ministers has blamed Nigeria’s problems on the flawed foundation laid by British colonialists.

In a statement signed by its President General, Tony Uzo Anthony, and Secretary General, Apostle Tony Osuji, the group condemned the 1914 amalgamation.

The 1914 amalgamation in Nigeria marked a significant milestone in the country’s history, as it involved the union of the Northern and Southern protectorates along with the Colony of Lagos, creating what is today recognized as modern Nigeria.

This decision was primarily driven by administrative convenience and economic efficiency under British colonial rule.

The amalgamation facilitated easier governance by unifying the diverse cultures, languages, and regions under a single administrative system, despite the challenges posed by these differences.

It laid the groundwork for Nigeria’s complex socio-political landscape, which continues to evolve to this day.

They argued that the creation of Nigeria was done without the consent or consultation of the indigenous peoples.

The clerics said the union was designed purely for Britain’s administrative and economic advantage, not for the benefit of Nigerians.

They noted that the amalgamation forced together regions with stark differences in language, culture, and religious beliefs.

According to the group, this artificial merger created deep-rooted divisions that Nigeria continues to struggle with today.

“The agitation for self-determination, as championed by Nnamdi Kanu through IPOB, underscores a fundamental truth,” their statement read.

They said Nigeria’s creation in 1914 was never a union based on mutual agreement.

Rather, it was a colonial construct imposed by Lord Frederick Lugard without regard for the consequences.

They blamed Britain for ignoring the complexities and identities of the people it brought together.

The clerics believe this historic imposition is what fuels the demand for Biafra’s restoration today.

Meanwhile, IPOB has expressed strong dissatisfaction with what it calls the continued marginalisation of the Igbo ethnic group.

The group released a statement accusing the Nigerian government of deliberately excluding Igbos from key federal positions.

Signed by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, the statement questioned why no Igbo has been appointed to top security roles.

These positions include Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Inspector General of Police, and Director of the Department of State Services.

IPOB also pointed out that no Igbo currently heads the National Security Adviser’s office.

They also alleged marginalisation in financial and economic sectors such as the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited.

According to the statement, the exclusion extends to agencies like the Nigerian Customs Service and other high-profile establishments.

IPOB said the consistent denial of appointments to Igbos reflects a deliberate pattern of ethnic bias.

The group said such marginalisation reinforces their demand for a separate nation where justice and equity would prevail.

Since the end of the Nigerian Civil War in 1970, the Southeast has continually complained of exclusion and neglect.

Though the war ended officially with a declaration of “No victor, no vanquished,” the scars remain deep.

Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB have capitalised on this unresolved resentment to push for the actualisation of Biafra.

The Nigerian government considers IPOB a proscribed organisation and has accused it of threatening national security.

However, IPOB maintains that its struggle is peaceful and rooted in the right to self-determination.

Kanu’s re-arrest in 2021, after years of legal and diplomatic controversy, has further polarised opinions.

Many in the Southeast view him as a symbol of resistance against marginalisation and historical injustice.

The group’s continued activism reflects a larger sentiment that the current Nigerian structure is unfair and unsustainable.

The clerics and IPOB argue that unless Nigeria addresses the structural imbalances from its colonial creation, agitation will persist.

They insist that true peace and unity can only be achieved through equity, fairness, and mutual respect among all ethnic groups.

As Kanu’s legal battles continue, they serve as a reminder of the unresolved questions around Nigeria’s national identity.

The colonial foundation remains a source of contention over 100 years after the amalgamation.

And for many in the Southeast, the Biafra question remains far from answered.

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