"No Referendum for Biafra"- Buhari, Nigeria's stubborn fly declares as IPOB Global Protests rattle him

"No Referendum for Biafra"-Buhari, Nigeria's stubborn fly declares

'General' Muhammadu Buhari today declared that he would not be conducting a Biafran independent referendum. Buhari has recently come under intense pressure from local and international bodies to conduct a referendum for Biafrans, as a way to bring healing and closure to the vexing issue of Biafra. However, Buhari, who panicked after a successful Global Protest yesterday and a Sit-At-Home-Protest (SAHP), which recorded a 98% across Biafraland, was forced to make the pronouncement.

According to Sahara Reporters, he made the statement during a media event in New York City at the end of his visit to the United States as the leader of Nigeria's delegation to the 71th United Nations' General Assembly. 

According to Buhari, the only choice left for Biafran activists is to form a political party that would advance their interest within the Nigerian democratic space.

Rudolf Ogoo Okonkwo (SR)

During today's "Press Conference" at the UN Plaza hotel, I asked President Buhari a version of this question:

During your speech at the UN, you talked about the importance of making sure that justice is done and that we use best practices at all times. You also talked about the need for healing and closure. One area of Nigerian life that has not seen healing and closure has been the issue of Biafra. Just yesterday, IPOB ordered a stay at home across the South East & SS. When you think of healing and closure as it relates to Biafra, do you see referendum as one possible path to finding that healing and closure?

His answer:

"No referendum for Biafra," - Pres. Buhari.

Commercial activities in some key cities in the South East, and South-South of Nigeria were grounded following the SAHP ordered by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB ). There were also protests in various cities around the world by Biafran activists demanding the release from prison of IPOB's leader, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.

In recent past, Buhari had been dismissive of Biafran agitators as kids who did not see the Biafra-Nigeria Civil War. Only a  few weeks ago, while speaking to Youth Corp members who he invited to his country home in Daura, Buhari had pressed on them to ask their friends to forget Biafra. But the global Free-Nnamdi-Kanu protest organised by the IPOB sent cold gitters up his spine. 

Buhari is toeing a dangerous line by denying Biafrans a referendum, which is the least any reasonable person would offer. He is proving to be the proverbial stubborn fly that followed a corpse to the grave. Alas! Biafrans will help guide this stubborn fly to its final destination.