The stormy petrel of politics in Nigeria, former Abia State Governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has issued strong warnings of possible retaliations if ongoing pogroms against Christians in the north continues from
the satanic Islamic killer cult, Boko Haram.
Dr. Kalu, a veteran of many onslaughts against the cabal that enjoyed Obasanjo’s protection in Nigeria’s body politic, has ascended into an interesting lead amongst individuals who could provide a rallying nexus following Chief Emeka Odimegwu Ojukwu’s demise.
The former governor described as unacceptable the wanton killings of Christians and southerners, mostly of Igbo extraction in the Northern part of Nigeria, warning of a possible retaliation if it continues. He warned that if the trend did not stop “we shall no longer turn the other cheek but shall demand an eye for an eye.”
In a statement on Tuesday in Abuja titled ‘Halt Anti-Igbo Pogrom, Killings of Christians/Southerners in Northern Nigeria Immediately” he said ‘it is unacceptable that whenever there is any disagreement or crisis of any sort in this country the Igbo are targeted whether the issue at stake concerns them.”
Kalu maintained that “whether the recent bombings and slaughters in churches are attributable to the hatred of western education or making the country ungovernable for the President or even the alleged quest for revenge by the Boko Haram sect, or the alleged extra judicial killing of its leader, none of these issues has anything to do with the Igbo.”
He wondered why despite the price paid by the south east for the unity of Nigeria, they are being targeted at the slightest opportunity.
He said “The Igbo as a group have paid dearly for the unity of this country, and despite the pogrom that preceded the civil war, and the genocide against them during the civil war, they have continued to believe in and practically work for the unity of this country, settling and developing the economies of all parts of this country, despite the continued marginalization and balkanization of their region. Everywhere you go, you see the Igbo. We are the salt of the nation.”
Kalu who lamented the lack of will and ability of the Federal government to nip the trend of insecurity in Nigeria warned that the ingredients that caused the last civil war are fundamentally being thrown up again by what is happening today. Despite the massive budgetary allocation to defense and security the federal government has not risen to the occasion in taking steps to stop this unwarranted descent towards ethnic cleansing.”
The former Abia helmsman warned that if nobody will come to the rescue of the Igbo, the Igbo will have no choice but to protect themselves by themselves. By their nature the Igbo are peace loving and respect human life, but if they continue to be pushed to the wall, they will have no choice but to defend themselves.”
Kalu stressed that “their reluctance to resort to revenge killings is not out of cowardice but because of their belief in the rule of law with the hope that the Federal government will bring perpetrators to book.”