“History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time; it illumines reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life and brings us tidings of antiquity.” – Cicero
This current online beef between Igbos and Yorubas is not real. It is contrived, sponsored, and it insults our intelligence.
Because if we remember history, we will be ashamed of the noise we’re making today.
Wole Soyinka wrote it himself in “You Must Set Forth at Dawn.” When Akintola and the Sardauna conspired to politically bury Awolowo, it was “Dr. Michael Okpara of the East” who stood up. Not in sympathy. In action.
Okpara gave financial and political support to Awo’s camp. He reabsorbed dismissed Action Group loyalists like Prof. Sam Aluko into UNN. He sent ENBS to broadcast real election results from Ibadan, daring the fraud.
He went further. He appointed “Mrs. Hannah Awolowo” as Honorary Minister in Eastern Nigeria, with car, chauffeur, and full privileges, while her husband was in prison. That was not politics. That was family.
And “Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe,” as President, blocked attempts to transfer Awolowo to a Northern prison. He insisted Awo be jailed in the East where he was treated with dignity. Against Balewa and the Sardauna’s wishes.
This was UPGA. NCNC plus Action Group. East and West, standing together against domination. Okpara was so loved in Ibadan they called him “M.I. Power.”
So where did this hate come from? Twitter? Politicians?
The East stood with Awo when it cost them. The West remembers. Or at least, it should.
Until we stop allowing hungry politicians to rewrite history for clout, we will keep fighting ghosts while they loot the present.
Ethnicity bowed to justice once. It can again.
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bcradle@ymail.com