A constitutional lawyer, Madubuachi Idam, has stated that the agitation for a sovereign state of Biafra transcends the leadership of Nnamdi Kanu and Simon Ekpa. According to Idam, the desire for Biafra is a deeply rooted spirit among the Igbo people, and its momentum cannot be halted by the detention of Kanu or the style of agitation adopted by Ekpa.
Idam emphasized that many individuals, including himself, have reservations about the approach employed by Kanu and Ekpa but believe in the importance of a peaceful push for the emancipation of the Biafran people. He urged the Nigerian government to embrace an inclusive governance structure, addressing the marginalization of the Southeast region, which he believes is the root cause of the agitation.
The lawyer advocated for negotiation and mediation to resolve the issue, rather than continued detention of Kanu, which may escalate the situation. Idam’s stance highlights the complexity of the Biafra agitation, emphasizing that it is a broader movement beyond individual leaders.
Commenting on the agitation, Idam said: “The agitation for Biafra has always been beyond Kanu and Simon Ekpa.
“The agitation for the emancipation of Biafra has always been a spirit in every Igbo man.
“It does not resonate within Kanu and Ekpa alone, it’s a spirit that lives in every Igbo man. The example of this is that since they had Kanu in detention, has the agitation stopped? The answer is no.
““I can tell you that not every Biafran is comfortable with the style of these two persons. So many people, including myself have reservations for their styles, though we believe that the emancipation of the Biafran people is necessary through a peaceful approach.
“The agitation has always been beyond these two and I must tell you the agitation can’t die with them.”
He continued, “The Nigerian state must ensure an inclusive government because some of us agitation are clamouring for that.
“The Igbos are saying that they are marginalized. So, why will the state not look at their yearning, knowing that if it include these set of people the agitation will stop.”
“I must encourage the Nigerian state to toe the line of negotiation and stop heating the polity through the continued detention of Kanu.
“It must toe the line of mediation and negotiation to resolve this unwarranted trial of Kanu.”
