Nnamdi Kanu And Peter Obi, Are Two Sides Of The Same ‘Igbo Coin’ In Nigeria – Ụmụ Ìgbò Ka Anyị Malu Ife

The political divide between the supporters of our brother Nnamdi Kanu and Peter Obi is a very sensitive one, and has gone to show that Ndi Igbo do not understand the times we are in, and why synergy is needed, rather than division.

A time has come for our people to look at the things that unite us, rather than the things that separate us. And this would help us in tackling the problems we face as Ndi Igbo in Nigeria.

Even though Nnamdi Kanu agitates for a separate nation (Biafra) for Ndi Igbo, and Peter Obi fights for the betterment of a region of Africa (Nigeria), we must realize that Peter Obi and Nnamdi Kanu are two sides of the same ‘Igbo coin’ in Nigeria – we must see that they want the same solutions but from different approaches. They both represent strong voices seeking justice and progress for our people, however through different means.

There is no denying the fact that Ndi Igbo are marginalized, suppressed, and sectionalized in Nigeria, in one form or the other. We can’t say that enough, even if Nigerians deny it. We see the attacks and subjugation of Ndi Igbo playing out every now and then in Nigeria. We saw it play out in the 2023 general elections, where Igbo businesses were burnt, and lives and properties attacked and destroyed. There was all-around political suppression of Ndi Igbo because Peter Obi was running for the office of the president.

All of these attacks and suppressions happened to Ndi Igbo in general, no matter if one was a Peter Obi supporter or an Nnamdi Kanu follower. The persecution was universal for all Ndi Igbo. And this Igbo experience in 2023 has been the case for decades, even way before Nigeria got her Independence. The history of Nigeria is littered with numerous accounts of Igbo marginalization, massacres, and suppression – what we call Igbo-phobia today.

So Nnamdi Kanu through his agitation for Biafra or an independent nation for Ndi Igbo, chose to solve the problem which Ndi Igbo faced in Nigeria, by agitating for a referendum and an independent nation. Peter Obi, being one of the best political leaders that Ndi Igbo have produced since independence, chose to tackle the problem, not just for Ndi Igbo, but for Nigerians as a whole. Peter Obi is also on the same mission, but only he is doing so through politics and governance in Nigeria.

The problems which Peter Obi is trying to solve through elections and the court process is the same problem that Nnamdi Kanu is trying to solve through the agitation for Biafra. And all of this points to the fact that Nigeria has caused Ndi Igbo to remain backward in terms of social development/amenities, healthcare, economic advancement, infrastructure, and many other social indices in modern society. And the Igbo man believes he can do better, and should be allowed to do better.

This betterment for Ndi Igbo (and other Africans) is what Nnamdi stands for.  This same better future for all Nigerians (and Ndi Igbo at large) is what Peter Obi stands for too.

When we look at the agenda and goals of both men, in regards to the proverbial “Igbo Coin”, it is safe to say that Nnamdi Kanu faces right, and Peter Obi faces left (and vice versa) – both men being intrinsic and essential parts of the destiny and future of Ndi Igbo in Nigeria.

The journey of Nnamdi Kanu and Peter Obi is likened to a story I wrote of two eagles, who were on their way to rescue umu anumanu (small animals) who were held hostage by a pride of fierce lions. On their way, they encountered a strong whirlwind that blew them off course. One of the eagles landed on top of an Orji tree, while the second landed on a farm, and broke one of his wings, with his feet entangled with yam tendrils.

The eagle that was on top of the Orji tree instead of coming to the rescue of his brother, left him trapped and injured, and continued his journey to save Umu anumanu. On getting to the valley, he was overpowered and didn’t have enough strength to fight off the lions. Of the two eagles, he was the one who was less aggressive, so he tried to use dialogue to convince the hungry lions to free the other animals. And while he was there, his brother remained trapped on the farm.

The above story is that of Nnamdi Kanu and Peter Obi, two brothers who are on the same journey of liberating their people (Ndi Igbo), and subsequently a larger region of Africa. As Nnamdi Kanu fights for the liberation of Ndi Igbo. If Ndi Igbo are liberated, it would spur a revolution in Africa, and other regions would also be liberated. Peter Obi is also doing the same thing – fighting for the Africans of Nigeria, and in so doing will lead to the liberation of Ndi Igbo.

Despite being brothers and being on the same journey, Peter Obi didn’t speak up for Nnamdi Kanu as he is detained by the Federal Government of Nigeria, through its DSS. He went ahead to campaign, and even meet with terrorist leaders, such as Gumi, to secure favor for his presidential ambitions. In as much as we know he is not in support of Nnamdi Kanu’s illegal detention, he could have spoken up – It would have mattered a lot. Even though we know that in Nigerian politics, for an Igbo politician to lend his voice to the plights of a man like Nnamdi Kanu is to kill his political career.

Today, no matter if Peter Obi spoke up or not, these two men are two sides of the same Igbo coin in Nigeria. And it is a pity that their supporters have embarked on a long-drawn battle online, with each side trying to tarnish the image of Nnamdi Kanu or Peter Obi – with not of these supporters seeing the need for a unified front.

But when you go online, what is evident is that our detractors don’t see us as being different. They are quick to tag Peter Obi as IPOB and quick to tag any of us who is pro-Igbo as either ‘IPOB’ or ‘Igbo-OBIDIENT’. Once you stand up and speak for Ndi Igbo, you are classified as one of the two. This simply means that no matter our differences (as supporters of Nnamdi Kanu or Peter Obi) other Nigerians see us as one and on the same mission – which is the betterment of our people.

Umu Igbo, so instead of us tearing ourselves apart, let us realize that we have two brothers who have international acclaim and mean well, even if it is different approaches. Let us synergize, and find what is good in both men and their agitation/campaign, and use it for the betterment of ana Igbo. Let the supporters of both brothers/eagles join forces in demanding justice, equity, and the betterment of our people.

We are blessed at this time and age, to have two prominent Igbo men, whom the world regards, because of their stand on truth and their demand for a progressive region of Africa. We must harness their strengths, and see that they are both two sides of an Igbo coin rolling in the best interest of our people.

Umu Igbo, I feel that at this point in our history, Okike has presented us with ejima (twin). And in every twin on a purpose in life, one is cold, and the other is hot. But that does not mean that it is not the same blood flowing through them. It is the same Igbo blood running through both men. Only Nnamdi Kanu is hot, and Peter Obi is cold. But both of them are however very determined – they are two sides of a coin, to save Ndi Igbo (and whoever is interested in moving forward around us, and in Africa).

This article does not aim to argue who is right or wrong among the Biafran agitators and ‘One Nigeria’ proponents or Obidients among us as Ndi Igbo. This article tends to point to a more spiritual and grander plot being hatched by Okike and the Gods of our land for the betterment of our people. This article is to call our attention to the future which the Gods of our land have seen and sent these two men – two of them standing tall and popular in the Nigerian discourse.

Umu Igbo let us take what is good in Nnamdi Kanu’s message, and also take what is good in Peter Obi’s message, and merge it together for the betterment of Ndi Igbo. This has to happen, socially, morally, politically, culturally, economically, and otherwise, maka odimma ndi Igbo.

This Piece Was Written By Chuka Nduneseokwu, Editor-In-Chief, Voice Of The Sun

Please Support and DONATE To Us. Help Us In Preserving Our History, Culture and Beliefs as Ndi Igbo. CLICK HERE to assist us financially.