Luo nation and the igbo

What next for the Luo Nation? A critical question  which was asked in 2017 but went unanswered, here we are asking the same question again in 2022.

The Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Nigerian-Biafran War, lasted three years and resulted in over one million fatalities. Having commenced seven years after Nigeria gained independence from Britain, the war began with the secession of the southeastern region of the nation on May 30, 1967, when it declared itself the independent Republic of Biafra. The subsequent conflicts and widely reported human suffering led to outcry and international action. On January 15, 1970, Biafran leadership surrendered, bringing an end to the Nigerian Civil War.

While Nigeria was celebrating, the Igbo people, who were the losers in the war, were weeping; too many Igbo deaths and devastation in their land. Their chiefs were meeting somewhere in Enugu. The former general Emeka Ojukwu was in attendance and so was Alex Ekwueme, former vice president of Nigeria. What is the way forward for Igbo’s with all this ostracism and stereotyping that they were facing from the other tribes. Must they go for another war because of seeking the presidency? Must they welcome more bullets in the name of their rights or entitlement? They have a heated discussion boiling hot on this matter. The chiefs lose their cool, blames and abuses are directed to each side in equal measure. Finally, they come to an agreement. The other Nigerian tribes can beat us politically; they can beat us by the bullet and at war; they can ostracize and stereotype us for losing the fight; anything evil can be said about us… But they cannot beat the determination, resolve, talent, imagination and skill of an Igbo. We shall leave the presidency to them. But we will succeed in all other areas, be it business, sports, music and education.

In fifty years, the Igbo’s have never seen the presidency of Nigeria, but they dominate everywhere else: the top actors and film producers in Nollywood are Igbos, top soccer and other sports exports from Nigeria are Igbo’s. Some notable Igbo musicians include the P square brothers, Patoranking, Chidinma, Flavour, Phyno, Tekno Miles, Runtown, Kcee and others who top the African music scene internationally.

They have become a colossus, not just in Nigeria but in the world. This can be a way for the Luos to regain their glory as a tribe and fight off the stereotype of roudy elections disputes and violent political forums. The Luos nation needs the lgbo re-think, which goes far beyond the presidency and the boundaries of the motherland Kenya. If Luo Nation can’t lead the nation, let the Luo start by leading there own people and leading the whole community to its desired place of the vision of peace formed from the foundations of the great leader Raila Amollo Odinga(Baba).

It is time in Kenya that we use the tribe as a tool of National pride, like the Maasai has shown us, through their culture and skills which they pass down for generations. We should not be ignorant and do away with all the traditions and cultures of our tribes. Tribe should no longer be tool for political purpose and a way to gain political seats. Politics should be left to ideologies and manifestos just like the 2022 elections have shown us. Luos nation can redefine the narative and open a new page of great opportunities just like the Igbo people.