- Says He’s Not A Biafra Supporter
Popular music icon, Charles Oputa, otherwise known as Charly Boy has expressed his pessimism about the current agitation for a Biafra republic, dismissing the call as a non-feasible adventure.
Charly Boy while speaking with newsmen on his new national campaign project dubbed, ‘OurMumuDondo’ said rather than dissipate energy on Biafra agitation, Igbos should channel their energies and abilities towards developing the South East to become the economic hub of Nigeria.
“Sometime in January 2017, I wrote my thoughts on the Biafra agitation and how I do not consider it a feasible adventure; especially when there are so many important things my Igbo kinsmen can alternatively dedicate their lives to. I titled the article ‘The illusion called Biafra’. Those who have not read it should do so. What I stated therein will always be my stance on Biafra.”
Oputa who is also hailed by admirers as ‘Areafada’ stated that attending court proceedings to solidarise with the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu doesn’t make him a Biafra agitator, averring that he is not a Biafra supporter.
“No man deserves to be ill treated in his fatherland the way Nnamdi Kanu was treated. That was why I joined in the call for his release at that time. I am for equal rights and justice. Advocating for the ‘okada’ community doesn’t make me an ‘okada’ rider. Advocating for gay rights doesn’t make me gay. So, agitating for Nnamdi’s release doesn’t make me a Biafra supporter. Biafra for me is a mindset. If there was no great injustice in the land, there would be no call for Biafra.
“Unfortunately, the dreams of nationhood are lost on the altar of deception. My Igbo brothers must be circumspect on the fact and history and should not be hoodwinked into some insane propaganda that will only lead to more wahala . So, instead of Biafra, we should channel our energies and abilities towards developing the South East to become the economic hub of Nigeria. Igbo nation and my people are great. For us to move forward, we must kill this our individualistic tendencies and come together to do great things.
“The fall of Biafra after the genocide, starvation, and immense suffering of my people should teach us something. I believe the failure of the Igbo nation is the fault of the people, her so-called elite and decision makers. Why have we not channelled our energy, capacity and ability into making the South East the Dubai of the nation as well as the engine room of the Nigerian economy? Who would be our leaders when the South East is infested with political power grabbers, ‘419ers’, mindless criminals and looters of our commonwealth and resources? Need I mention names?” Oputa said.
He added that the problems emanating from the southeast region should be blamed on inability of leaders from the region to fight for the interest of the people and that the Biafra agitation is an attempt to blackmail the Igbos.
“Our problem is the lack of men of integrity with progressive mindset. We lack the right kind of leadership that will fight for the interest of the people. The sufferings and poverty of people in the South East is also the sufferings and poverty of people from the other geo-political zones, including my northern brothers. Even the anti-corruption fight has seen all tribes represented. It is therefore insane to begin to think that a people with a problem would suddenly be relieved when they are attached with a tag #BIAFRA.
“Therefore, I insist that #OurMumuDonDo, because, the failure of leadership is evident in our agitation for fairness, justice and equality for every Nigerian, not just for every Igbo man. The mind of the typical Igbo leader needs a revolution so that it can be realigned for the interest of the people rather than the interest of a few. Let us focus on our homeland, our states, and begin to demand accountability and responsibility from many of our scammers, riffraffs and fraudsters in the entire nation,” he said.
