‘I hope His Royal Highness has learnt something from this.’ I said, putting my phone down and looking up at Tahir.
‘Which of the royal highnesses do you mean?’ He asked, looking away from the TV screen to face me.
‘I meant the royal father who said he was ready to lay down his life for the Igbos.’ I replied.
‘And what lesson does he need to learn? It seems like a noble thing to say in the circumstances.’ Tahir answered casually.
‘A noble thing to say? What is so noble about saying you blame the offended without making any effort to address the cause of his grievance? Did the Arewa youths do something so unprovoked that the Emir should jump down the deep end and offer such a sacrifice?’ I asked.
‘Maybe they were sufficiently provoked to decide to issue that quit notice, but as a royal father, the Emir has to be seen as totally neutral and accommodating to all. Hence his great declaration.’ He offered.
‘Unfortunately I don’t agree, Hubby dear. I believe the Emir could have made his point clearly without that subservient declaration that he will use his last drop of blood for them. Must he go this far to show that he was not with the Arewa youths? What was their sin when they decided to say to the Biafrans ‘enough is enough’. Aren’t we all fed up with their antics and their blackmail? So some hot-headed youths decided to match them fire for fire, isn’t it high-time someone shows them they have no monopoly of insolence? What I would have expected the Emir to do was to use the occasion to urge the Igbos who visited him to advise the Biafrans to stop their agitation and provocation in order for peace to prevail in Nigeria. I mean whether we like it or not, it is clear to see that most Igbo leaders are tacitly behind this agitation. If not, they would have come out to disown those provocative actions of IPOB and MASSOB before them. But they always looked the other way when their so-called youths misbehave or even threaten the peace and security of our nation. But in contrast what do our elders do? They are always the first to condemn our youths and disown them, even if their actions were responses to series of provocations.’ I lamented.
‘I think the Emir in particular and other Northern notables in general are all trying to be diplomatic, which is what the occasion calls for.’ Tahir insisted.
‘Diplomatic? Well, I hope you’ve noticed how those people do not appreciate diplomacy or haven’t you? They were not at all moved by the solidarity speeches or arrest threats by governors nor the platitudes of the Emirs. The only thing that roused them to action was when the Professor rose in defence of Northern Youths and blasted those who condemned them. It was only when the Prof lent his weight to the youths, that Igbos elders began to see red. Earlier on, like all people with persecution complex, they thought it was their right to be defended by Northern governors and emirs and those wishing to sound politically correct. They did not appreciate what it takes to disown your own in the interest of national unity or peaceful coexistence. They took everything for granted, believing like their Biafra agitators that all other Nigerians owe them a debt of gratitude, for sharing the nation with them. But then the Prof shocked them, he showed them that those Northern youths were not orphans. He demonstrated that they had the backing of their elders who believe Biafrans should be told to keep quite or leave our union. And it worked like magic. What I just finished reading, from an online publication, is that a delegation of Igbo elders and leaders including the former Biafran agitator, the man who headed MASSOB have rushed to Zaria to visit the Prof. This is what happens when you meet belligerence with belligerence. The guys at IPOB thought we have no voice, that they are the only ones with the capacity for madness and insults. But the Arewa youths have matched their madness with that October 1st Ultimatum, and the Prof had crowned their effort with that fatherly blessing. Now you see how it pays to stand for a just cause? Everyone respects you for it. Did you notice any Igbo leader rushing to visit that Emir or any of those governors in appreciation of their solidarity? No, but they went to Zaria to beg our able and noble Prof to prevail on our youths to withdraw their threat. Now this is what I call leadership.’ I concluded proudly.
‘Well done Bint’ Tahir said, raising his hand in mock salute, ‘sometimes you sound more like a fiery Arewa youth that a married mother of several youths.’ He added, smiling.
*This piece first appeared on Daily Trust on Saturday June 17, 2017.
