A coalition of pro-self-determination groups under the banner Coalition to De-Amalgamate Nigeria for Security (CODES) has announced what it calls a historic alliance between Biafran and Odùduwà movements, urging a peaceful separation of Nigeria into independent national entities.
At a press conference monitored by BVI Channel 1 Online, representatives of the coalition described their initiative as a non-violent political campaign aimed at addressing insecurity, political marginalization, and humanitarian crises across the country.
The Alliance and Its Demands
CODES said it is jointly championed by activists associated with the Yoruba and Igbo self-determination movements. According to the group, the proposed “De-Amalgamation Congress” will be open to all ethnic nationalities in Nigeria who wish to pursue self-governance through legal and internationally recognized processes.
The coalition called for Internationally supervised referendums on self-determination,restructuring or dissolution of Nigeria into separate nations including Biafra and Odùduwà.
Organizers argued that the campaign is grounded in international law, citing provisions in the UN Charter and African human rights instruments that recognize peoples’ rights to political self-determination.
Speakers at the briefing accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect citizens from armed violence and terrorism. They alleged widespread displacement, attacks on rural communities, and a lack of accountability for perpetrators.
They further claimed the country’s current structure lacks the consent of its constituent peoples and therefore cannot guarantee stability. According to the coalition, insecurity across multiple regions has eroded public trust in federal authority.
Government officials have repeatedly rejected similar accusations in the past, maintaining that security agencies are combating insurgency, banditry, and communal violence nationwide.
CODES based much of its position on historical grievances. The group argued that the 1914 amalgamation of Northern and Southern protectorate by British colonial authorities created a state without popular consent and entrenched structural imbalances that persist today.
The coalition also referenced:
The Nigerian civil war and post-war political tensions involving the Igbo
Political disputes affecting Yoruba regions, including the annulled 1993 election.
Long-standing communal conflicts in parts of the Middle Belt.
According to the speakers, these events demonstrate a pattern of unresolved disputes within Nigeria’s federal framework.
The coalition linked its call for separation to ongoing violence involving insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and other armed factions operating in various regions.
It alleged that communities in the North-East, North-West, Middle Belt, South-East, and South-West have experienced repeated attacks and displacement.
The group argued that local self-governance would better enable communities to manage security and accountability.
However, security analysts often note that Nigeria’s conflicts involve multiple complex factors including criminal networks, resource disputes, climate pressures, and regional instability across the Sahel — not solely constitutional arrangements.
CODES appealed to the international community to support what it described as a peaceful political process rather than violent confrontation. The coalition warned that unresolved tensions could lead to wider humanitarian consequences if not addressed through dialogue.
They emphasized that their proposal is intended to prevent conflict, not provoke it, and framed it as a democratic alternative to armed struggle.
The statement was attributed to several prominent figures linked to self-determination advocacy, including:
Prof. Banji Akintoye
Sunday Adeyemo (Igboho)
Dr. Kayode Emola
Nnamdi Kanu (referenced as leader of IPOB)
Other delegates affiliated with the coalition.
Nigeria has long faced debates over restructuring, regional autonomy, and federal balance. While some political leaders advocate constitutional reforms within a united country, separatist groups continue to push for independence.
The federal government has consistently maintained that Nigeria’s unity is non-negotiable, although discussions on devolution of powers and security reforms remain ongoing.
The announcement by CODES is expected to intensify national conversation around governance, security, and identity in Africa’s most populous nation.
— Queen Madu, BVI Channel 1 Online
