Biafra: When Silence Speaks

 When Silence Speaks It would be foolhardy to expect us not to be critical of the Directorate of States (DOS). However, criticism that is no...

 When Silence Speaks

It would be foolhardy to expect us not to be critical of the Directorate of States (DOS). However, criticism that is not constructive is nothing more than noise disguised as feedback, meant to wound rather than improve. Every Biafran should go to bed thinking of how to strengthen the struggle if we truly want to achieve results. I was taken aback some weeks ago when the former PRO of IPOB South Africa, Mazi Agha Nnachi, stated in a video interview that it took a meeting between him, myself, Mazi Ofoma, and the IPOB South Africa national coordinator for him to understand how the IPOB structure works, despite years of serving as national PRO. I doubt he fully understands the structure even now. However, this particular statement, his removal from office, and his joining autopilots are telling on why IPOB South Africa is in its current state.

I am not overly concerned by the chaos. As Machiavelli said, “The true test of allegiance is crisis.” Mazi Chinasa Nworu has stated that Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu himself said he would hold the DOS accountable if they failed. Some misunderstood this as a statement of blame; I see it as a statement of responsibility. Onyendu has also said, “The Directorate of States (DOS) is the highest decision-making body of IPOB.” This means that, by IPOB law, the DOS is the final authority within the movement. Therefore, the question of whether the DOS succeeds or fails rests not with Biafrans or the enemies of Biafra, but with the DOS itself.

The work of the DOS is not about being liked; it is about survival, doing what is necessary. On this front, the leadership has acted decisively, as seen in how they were able to do what's necessary and have kept IPOB financially afloat despite relentless attempts to strangle our resources. Over the past four years, they have shown that power must be protected not only from enemies but also from our own internal weaknesses.

We have at certain points said to the DOS, you must address this enemy and the other enemy, thinking it was the best way to protect the organization. Yet we often forget that our strengths can also be exploited as weaknesses. That the same voice that can protect can also jeopardize, that muscle that can restore can also destroy. As a good manager, the DOS has been able to manage their silence successfully, a good leader knows when to speak and when to remain silent. When infiltrator Ikenga became a topic of public discussion, many demanded the DOS speak out. Notably, no one asked IPOB South Africa to clarify the matter until date. It became clear that the demand for the DOS to comment was a deliberate attempt to weaponize their influence against the movement. The DOS navigated that danger with skill.

Infiltrators never mean well. Many I have encountered in recent years seem positioned to tarnish the DOS by claiming close ties with its members while simultaneously undermining the struggle. They tell people they talk to Mazi Chika Edoziem and other members of the DOS. They use gossip and insinuations to confuse people, knowing that our people’s love for rumor makes them vulnerable to manipulation. Similarly, Nigeria’s propaganda machine continues to spread false narratives. Both the infiltrators and the Nigerian government understand that power doesn’t just crumble overnight; it doesn’t come with mighty warning like a huge explosion. It crumbles piece by piece; in silent whispers of doubt and the perception of weakness.

As strategic as silence is, it is not always strength, sometimes silence is surrender, and the people are always watching. The challenge for leaders is that outsider often are unable to differentiate the silence of power from the silence of surrender. I don’t believe IPOB South Africa's current silence is surrender; rather, I see it as a calm before a cleansing storm.

Finally, I advise every member of the leadership to be careful of those who flatter and feed their ego while enjoying chaos, they seek to steal their clarity. They smile and sing their praises in public, screaming how the DOS is wise but whisper in private. There is also another group to be careful of, those who sing praises of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu while maligning other members of the DOS. Such people are more dangerous than open enemies, for while enemies sharpen our tools, these “friends” blunt them. No matter how pleasant their voices, you cannot rebuild an empire with the very hands that helped bring it down.

Written by Sochima Mbanali 

Published by Family Writers Press International

13/8/2025