By Eke Eke
The road to freedom, is often long and hazardous, but there is no turning back, until freedom is achieved.
50 years on, we are yet to learn the lessons of Biafra and self-determination. I do not believe that we have built a sufficiently strong organisation and leadership through which to continue this struggle.
The Ohanaeze has to be reworked in the image of ANC during the struggle against Apartheid and all other organisations in Igbo land should be made to work towards the same objective, for us to succeed.
The UPP, if indeed, it has accepted to be the political arrow head of the struggle, will have to reposition itself and restrategise to function as a political vehicle for change and emancipation, by embracing civil values and democratic process in the conduct of all its affairs.
In this wise, it must take care to ensure that all those it presents for election in Nigeria will share the desire to achieve the reasonable degree of self-determination we seek.
This is a very important tactical move on which a lot will depend in the days ahead, as the reactionaries in the Nigerian establishment get rattled and the echoes of Biafra reverberate.
We have to be conscious that many of our people are yet to reach the high level of economic, political and social awareness and commitment required in this kind of struggle.
There has to be a system to sensitise and educate our people on the struggle, the various ways they can aid it and the strategic and sustainable way to finance it must be articulated. These are the foundation on which our kind of struggle is built.
Until we reject servitude and desire freedom more than life, we will not succeed.
Unless our people can say that we are not prepared to sale our birth right for personal gains and value the freedom of our people over and above everything else, we will not be free.
We have to declare and commit to freedom, justice and equality and be prepared to risk all, including our lives and liberty, to succeed.
Those in Nigeria have to work hand in hand with those in diaspora, whose main duty should be to tell our story to the world and drum up support for our course. This is why we need to be very clear about what we want to achieve.
We have to be mindful that there are our brothers and sisters who are in cahoots with the oppressor. They do not share the vision and feel no need to be free because they have prospered under the unfair and oppressive regime. It is human nature that some will betray their birth right for a bowl of porridge.
They are from amongst those who have held, are holding or aspire to hold political positions in Nigeria and they will present the strongest opposition.
We must continue to dialogue with them, but ensure that they are not used to undermine our objective.
A time must come when we will have to peacefully part ways with them and allow them to enjoy the consequence of their choice.
We need to think deeply, plan in detail and understand that the struggle for freedom is a struggle from which no one can turn back from and be free.
Your people will reject you and the oppressor will never trust you, if you turn back.
The struggle for self-determination is a one way high way from, which there is no turning back.
Those who join this struggle, must first count the cost because the road is full of pain, suffering and deprivation.
It requires our sweat tear and blood. Unless we are prepared to give these, we should not toy with freedom nor commit to the struggle for self-determination. We are better off living as happy and obedient slaves.
“During my life time, I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.” – Nelson Mandela.
Freedom demands all.
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