ANAMBRA 18^TH NOVEMBER GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION AND CALL FOR REFERENDUM: CG-IPOB POSITION

It has become extremely necessary to reaffirm the earlier position taken by the Customary Government of IPOB on Anambra State 18^th November Gubernatorial election and Referendum for the Biafra people. This clarification is, therefore, to put the records straight in view of tension and confusion being generated by the call to boycott elections until a date is fixed for Referendum.

CG-IPOB is led by Rtd Justice Eze Ozobu and Dr Dozie Ikedife with administrative Officers under an Administrator-Engr Anthony Aniebue.CG-IPOB has a well packaged and defined methodology to restore Biafra viz legal, diplomatic and political. It is a known fact to the Nigeria public and the Nigeria Government that CG-IPOB has approached the court on the issue of Biafra self determination with suit no FHC/OW/CS/192/2013 and the legal battle is still ongoing at federal high court ,Owerri.The underlisted prayers are before the honourable court for determination:

1. An Order declaring that the Claimants have the right to self-determination pursuant to Articles 19 – 25, Cap 10, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990, and are therefore free to exercise their unquestionable and inalienable right to self-determination to freely determine their political status and pursue their economic and social development according to the policy they have freely chosen.

2. An Order declaring that the ethnic nationalities that make up Nigeria are not held as slaves under Section 2(1) of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 and therefore has the right of self-determination to decide their political status by the rule of law.

3. An Order directing the Defendants to comply with the provisions of Article 20 (3) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Cap 10 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 and consequently give all assistance to the Claimants in the exercise of their right to self-determination for a peaceful conduct of their referendum for independence or for any other political status of their choice.

4. An Order granting judicial protection to the Claimants, their homes, their offices and their correspondences individually and collectively as they exercise their right to self-determination and an Injunction restraining the Defendants, their agents and privies, from interfering, arresting, molesting, intimidating, disturbing, hindering or harassing the Claimants or doing any act or omitting to do any act aimed at frustrating the Claimants’ exercise of their right to self-determination which they have commenced by due process of the law.

It is important to note that while the above historical legal battle is going on,Biafrans still living in Nigeria that believe in CG-IPOB methodology to restore Biafra  are free to actively participate in the economic and political activities in Nigeria as citizens.CG-IPOB has severally met with the Leadership of the Supreme Council of Elders to review her participation in Anambra State Gubernatorial election.It was agreed that any political party that shares the same ideology with CG-IPOB will be supported during the election in line with CG-IPOB political methodology.CG-IPOB believes that Biafrans should elect good men and women into positions of political position(s) even as we are still in Nigeria.

On the issue of referendum, it should be noted that referendum is a political process which takes rigorous stages and processes.CG-IPOB has activated her hydra- headed strategies to secure the supports of powerful nations and as we write, our lobby groups are at work. For obvious diplomatic reasons, certain sensitive issues are treated with every confidentiality.

CG-IPOB believes that Nnamdi Kanu has not violated any known law by directing his followers under his command to boycott Anambra State 18^th Nov election by sitting at home.Perhaps, that could be his own approach to draw the attention of the international communities.However,CG-IPOB is worried that such directive to his followers might lead to an assumption that IPOB is representing the interest of all the pro Biafra agitators. This could be misleading as some overzealous agitators might start using threat to enforce compliance or obstruct the legitimate activities of those who are not in agreement with the name Biafra or separating from Nigeria. We must never in any way or form whether through body language,action or utterances give impression that Biafra represent war or violence .We must prove to even the blind that we are governable and peaceful people.We must convince all the parties that Biafra is our indigenous identity and that the ideology of Biafra is freedom,equity,fairness and justice .There is nothing wrong with electing one of our own to put Biafra ideology to work even before the restoration of Biafra.

Finally, we are expected to explore the democratic window to deepen our collective heart desire for our indigenous identity –Biafra through townhall engagement(s). CG-IPOB shall continue to pursue the restoration of Biafra via local and international laws as nobody kills an ideology.

Ndubuisi Anaenugwu

Director-Directorate of Information, Customary Government of IPOB

08036247812

Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has disagreed with Igbo youths clamouring for Biafra in retrospect, saying their style was out of tune with the body language of Igbo elders who have seen war and its devastation and would not want anything that would bring another calamity. Nnia Nwodo, President-General of Ohanaeze Ohanaeze also frowned at the call for referendum, saying although “referendum is not a bad idea, but it’s not a tea party either; it is an option that will be more potent, if restructuring clamour fails.” This came  as governors of the South East and South-South geopolitical zones rose from their joint inaugural meeting in Enugu, in the early hours of yesterday, stating that the two regions had common heritage, culture and affinity. They subsequently agreed to enter into political and economic integration of the two regions, pledging to work together and realign as a people that share similarities. This is even as Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, said present agitation by some Nigerians for the restructuring of the country was because of lack of transparency and accountability in the management of issues affecting the interest and relationships of the people. But the Indegenous People of Biafra, IPOB, in a reaction, reiterated that it had never shifted ground  and would never agree to anything that would perpetuate their “current slave status and misery in the colonial contraption called Nigeria.” Your style is out of tune—Ohanaeze Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in a statement signed by Chuks Ibegbu, National Deputy Publicity Secretary, said:  “There is a raging debate on whether Igbo want Biafra, restructuring or referendum. Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s position has been constant and clear. It advocates that a restructured Nigeria with justice and equity will serve Ndigbo more than secession. ‘’It took into consideration the past, present and future before arriving at this crucial decision. Good enough, key voices in Nigeria are keying in to this mood. “Referendum is not a bad idea, but it’s not a tea party either. It is an option that will be more potent, if restructuring clamour fails. “Our children in IPOB and MASSOB, though with genuine grievances, need to be on the same page with Ohanaeze Ndigbo. Our son, Nnamdi Kanu, has done well in heightening the mood of Ndigbo in Nigeria, but there must be some caution and restraint on the strategy and methodology. “Biafra of the mind is not a bad idea, but a physical Biafra at this point in time need a very deep retrospection, introspection and analytical brainstorming which is not decided in the market.  It is only more plausible if the event of 1966 repeats itself in Nigeria. “Chief Nnia Nwodo and the new Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership is poised to aggregate the diverse views and opinions of Ndigbo and synthesise an option that will ultimately give Ndigbo their desired leverage in Nigeria. While diplomatic tact and pressure is not out of place in this, superior arguments that will not jeopardize the position and future of Ndigbo will be more attractive.” We are one people, say S-East/S-South Govs The governors after about four hours deliberation, also agreed to pursue regional cooperation of integration for the economic benefit of the two geopolitical zones and unanimously adopted Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State their interim chairman. The forum is scheduled to continue their meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on August 27, 2017. Nine of the 11 governors of the two regions were present at the meeting. They included Governors Nysome Wike of Rivers, Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom, Prof Ben Ayade of Cross River, Chief David Umahi of Ebonyi, Owelle Rochas Okorocha of Imo, Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia and Anambra State Deputy Governor, Nkem Okeke. Governors of Edo and Delta states were absent and did not send representatives. In a communiqué read by the interim chairman of the forum and Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, the governors said:  “Having reviewed the state of the nation, particularly as it affects us in the South-South and South East regions, we have agreed as follows: “To pursue inter regional cooperation of integration for the economic benefit of the two regions; to politically work together and realign as a people that share common heritage, culture and affinities.” Governor Emmanuel also announced his appointment as the interim chairman of the forum, disclosing that they also agreed that their next meeting would hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on August 27, 2017. Host governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, in his welcome address, described the meeting, the first in the current dispensation, as “the dawn of a new thinking that will lead to a mutual cooperation between the governments of South East and South-South zones. “What God has joined together, not even the Niger or delineation for administrative convenience will put asunder. We are essentially one, we are brothers joined by geography, one brotherhood and one friendship. “We also have common challenges, we believe that this meeting will fundamentally help us to understand ourselves better, rekindle the spirit of brotherhood, strengthen ties and cooperation with common vision and agenda for economic and political development of our regions.’’ Ugwuanyi sought the cooperation of South-South governors for the establishment of South East Development Commission, to address peculiar needs of the zone, in the same manner Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, is working for the South South. He lamented the breakdown of roads and other infrastructure in the two zones which he said hampered their economic development. The governor added that it was regrettable that only five per cent of electricity generated in the country was allocated to the two regions “We also cannot fly from South East or South-South states to the other; we can only fly from Lagos or Abuja to a connecting flight unless you can afford a chartered flight,” Ugwuanyi said. He also called on South-South governors to support South East call for restructuring of the country to ensure equity, justice and equality. Chairman of South East Governors forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi in his address released by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor, said they were  meeting for the first time as governors of South-South and South East to brainstorm on various but salient issues affecting the two zones. Umahi said: “We are meeting as brothers to talk about regional integration and find lasting solution to intermittent outbreak of interstate clashes arising from boundary disputes among the two regions. “We are also talking about economic survival of the two regions and look at possible ways of bringing our ingenuity and making use of our huge deposit of both human and natural resources to attain economic viable zones in Nigeria. “There is also need to discuss security, peace and unity of the two regions and find lasting solution to various salient issues that affect our unity in Nigeria. “It is a meeting borne out of love and desire to find cohesion among the two regions and I am happy that my brother Governors responded to the call even at the short notice given to them. In other words, we are discussing regional and national interest. “ Reasons for   agitations, restructuring – Dogara Speaker Dogara spoke in a message he sent to the opening of a two-day retreat in Lagos organised by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation. The event was organised in collaboration with the Public Accounts Committees of the National Assembly. The theme of the retreat was “Partnership between the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation and the Public Accounts Committees: A must for the entrenchment of transparency and accountability in a growing democracy.” The speaker, whose message was delivered by the Chairman, House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee, Ogundu Chinda, said issues of transparency and accountability cut across tribe, religion, ethnic affiliation, politics as well as country of origin. He compared transparency and accountability issues to environmental issues, saying once they take place, they affect other persons in other parts of the world. “The essence of government and governance is transparency and accountability. All challenges in our country today, ranging from militancy to Boko Haram in the North East are all based on injustice, which is also hinged on transparency and accountability. “If we are more transparent and accountable, we will be able to tackle almost all the problems besieging us today. The only reason Nigerians are talking about restructuring today is because we are not sufficiently transparent in our transactions and in our relationship with one another,”he said. Dogara stressed the need for both parties to collaborate to tackle the issues of transparency and accountability for the common good of the country at large. “The issue of accountability and transparency is a war or battle we are all soldiers in. With the Auditor-General and the Public Account Committee, we are generals in the war. If you are in the battlefield, the command is always ‘no retreat, no surrender,”he said. Ohanaeze youths fault Osinbajo for not involving youths in consultations However, the youth wing of the apex Igbo organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council, OYC, yesterday, dismissed the series of consultations between Acting President Yemi Osinbajo and some Northern and South East leaders of the country as “faulty and unproductive”, saying that it would not achieve any good result. In a statement, the Ohanaeze Youths Council said holding such consultations without involving the youths would not achieve the desired outcome. Signed by the publicity secretary of OYC, Obinna Adibe, the statement noted that since “the issues centre around the youths, they ought to be made active partners in the peace process. “We watch with keen interest the ongoing consultative meetings the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo had with both South East governors, traditional rulers, Igbo leaders and also a similar one he held with Northern leaders. “We observed that Osinbajo’s meetings with all these groups lacked youth representation. There was no youth representatives in the consultations, which makes the peace meeting a stalemate”, the OYC said. However, the group commended the South East governors, traditional rulers, Igbo leaders and religious leaders for their efforts and vision towards making the South East peaceful , and urged that “such efforts should be sustained in order to ensure safety of lives and property and as well pave the way for the development of our region.” On the quit notice to Igbo in the North, issued by some group of Arewa youths, the Igbo youths said their doors were open for dialogue as violence would do no one any good. “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth council worldwide has open doors for dialogue with ethnic nationality youth leaders across the country to find lasting peace, especially as it regards the safety of Igbo in every part of the country. “We have decided to sacrifice our freedom and resources to ensure that lasting peace is achieved, as regards the safety of Igbo in the 19 northern states ahead of the October 1 ultimatum from the northern youths . “We have built a bridge of dialogue for peaceful co-existence. We will not allow this opportunity to pass us by if there is any opening for dialogue with other ethnic nationality youth leaders across Nigeria “, OYC declared. Convene sovereign national confab now, BIM tells FG Meanwhile, the Biafra Independence Movement, BIM,  has called on the Federal Government to urgently convene a sovereign national conference to allow ethnic nationalities in the country to determine their future. The pro-Biafra group insisted that only a sovereign national conference can solve the increasing level of agitations by ethnic nationalities in Nigeria. National Director of Information, BIM, Sunny Okereafor, who stated this in Aba, while announcing plans for the celebration of the group’s 18th anniversary on September 13, condemned the call for restructuring by South East governors and leaders, stressing that restructuring cannot solve the problem of agitation ravaging Nigeria. “Restructuring is not the solution to the problem of agitation caused by injustice and marginalization in Nigeria. Where will we start restructuring from? Restructuring is not the solution to the increasing agitations by several ethnic nationalities in Nigeria. Restructuring is akin to scratching the surface of the problems. Igbo want Biafra; Yoruba want Oduduwa Republic, Boko Haram want Islamic republic and the Hausa/Fulani wants the status quo to be maintained because it is in their favour and others want resource control. The question is what are you restructuring for? “Every section of Nigeria had agreed that the federation isn’t workable; Fulani herdsmen are killing and raping our women with the federal government playing the ostrich; the North heads all the military and Para military agencies, oil producing communities live in abject poverty, grade A positions are only reserved for natives of certain parts of the country. Ndigbo have been relegated to second class citizens. In the kind of situation prevailing in Nigeria, a sovereign national conference is the only solution. The federal government should convene a sovereign national conference without further delay.” He described the calls for referendum as needless, insisting that a referendum had already taken place in the old Eastern region where the people of Biafra had expressed their desire for an independent state of Biafra to be granted them. We stand by our position—IPOB IPOB in a statement signed by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, urged  Igbo leaders to retrace their steps before it was too late. The statement read:  “It is unfortunate that these persons have predictably fallen for the usual crumbs falling off the master’s table in Aso Rock in exchange for their shameful public rejection of IPOB-led Biafra restoration project. What these men hope to gain by continually selling the collective interest of the masses for peanuts only heaven knows. “A few selfish individuals motivated by greed, envy and jealousy, whose whole life has been characterised by merchandising in misery and suffering cannot trade with our future anymore. These men went to Abuja with a list that had their family members, friends, relatives and girl friends for consideration in federal government appointments in exchange for our freedom. ‘’Their families occupying ministerial and federal positions is more important to them than liberating their people from oppression and servitude. “We are equally aware that some of these Igbo leaders, politicians and clergy are actively working with their Arewa counterparts in trying to convince the presidency to re-arrest our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. ‘’This deplorable, unprincipled and disgraceful attitude is indicative of the decay at the heart of the politics of compromise these men have been playing since after the war in 1970. They will sell their soul to the devil if it means one more contract, one more federal appointment or elongation of tenure. ‘’They must know that this generation of Biafrans, both old and young, say no to their usual sell-out antics. It is either these men are with us in our quest for Biafra restoration or they are with their Hausa Fulani masters in their unholy desire to remain as slaves in Nigeria “It is imperative to understand that we IPOB are not asking the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to abandon their quest to remain in their restructured Nigeria, what we in IPOB under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is saying is that they should be restructuring Nigeria while we continue with the struggle for Biafra independence. ‘’If they are able to finish their restructuring before the arrival of Biafra independence, then we will examine the parameters on which the restructuring was established, then the people of Biafra will decide for themselves between the restructured Nigeria and Biafra independence which one is better. ‘’Ohanaeze should not worry for now because ultimately the people will decide for themselves. One man, one vote! “No matter the route IPOB might take in this ordained and noble quest to free Biafrans from this perennial servitude, the masses must have their say. ‘’The era of imposition of ideology has come and gone. Only the people of Biafra can, through a referendum, determine their destiny, not IPOB leadership, not any other collection of leaders for that matter. With the happenings now, IPOB should brace itself to withstand the avalanche of sponsored lies and negative media coverage from the Federal Government of Nigeria and our enemies within. Their aim as always is to divide Biafraland in the hope of weakening our resolve but we must stand firm because this is the last major battle before we taste our long overdue freedom. “IPOB has returned power back to the people and they will exercise it when called upon to do so. We challenge the Federal Government of Nigeria and her supporters to test the acceptability of One Nigeria through plebiscite or referendum not with threat, propaganda and lies.”

• Calls for division product of bad govt, says peace committee

By Iheanacho Nwosu, Abuja

The National Peace Committee (NPC) led by former head of state, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar has blamed failed politicians and poor governance for the rising ethno-religious tension in the country.

   “The drums of rising division also reflect the perceptions by our citizens that there is poor governance in Nigeria today.

“Politicians who have failed in delivering on the mandate of the electorate for better livelihoods and neighbourhoods have, instead, found common cause with advocates of division and hate,” it said in a statement jointly signed by the former military leader and Bishop Mathew Kukah.

The group  warned that the nation cannot afford the stoking of the fires of hate and divisiveness in its body-polity, especially at a time the ordinary Nigerians were engaged in difficult struggles to secure their livelihood, amidst rising insecurity and increasing fear.

While it expressed concern over the spate of separatist campaign, it called on politicians to deny support to or endorsement of groups that harbour or express disdain for peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

It also urged the Federal Government to move fast to arrest the ugly situation.

It backed the position of government on the need to ensure effective enforcement of laws that prohibit hate and divisive speeches that constitute a threat to the constitutional and collective right to live in a democracy founded on free expression.

On the agitation for restructuring, the NPC appealed to the Federal Government to consider the reports of the Political Reforms Conference of 2005 and other National Conferences as bases for further and continuing dialogue on co-existence among communities in Nigeria.

It commended Acting President Yemi Osinbanjo for engaging with leaders of influence across the South-East and North in a bid to check the rise of mutual hostility and tension that have been stoked by elements from parts of the country.

While the NPC asked the Federal Government to review, update and enforce all laws relating to citizenship in Nigeria to ensure the equality of all under the law, it equally underscored the need for government to urgently work with the private and voluntary sectors to put in place measures to address the crisis of skills and jobs as key vectors of radicalisation.

To ensure the strengthening of national peace and cohesive, it urged that on-going efforts to reach out to leaders from various parts of the country be broadened into honest dialogue with all segments of the Nigerian population to ensure that ordinary citizens were accorded the opportunity to convey their views to government at the highest levels and get carried along in the formulation and implementation of government policies;

The group also underscored the need for government to urgently work with the private and voluntary sectors to put in place measures to address the crisis of skills and jobs as key vectors of radicalisation.

It called on the  Federal Government to review, update and enforce all laws relating to citizenship in Nigeria to ensure the equality of all under the law.

The statement said: “The National Peace Committee acknowledges that the drums of rising division also reflect the perceptions by our citizens that there is poor governance in Nigeria today.

“Politicians who have failed in delivering on the mandate of the electorate for better livelihoods and neighbourhoods have, instead, found common cause with advocates of division and hate.

In many parts of the country, young people who have been left without means of livelihood or hope in their future have become converts to radicalisation preached by demagogues in various guises including ethnicity and religion.

“We cannot afford at this or any other time to stoke the fires of hate and divisiveness in our body politic especially when ordinary Nigerians are engaged in difficult struggles to secure their livelihood, amidst rising insecurity and increasing fear.

“We have lost too many of our citizens to random and diverse acts of violence, have many more maimed for life or living in displacement. Tens of thousands of children have been orphaned by conflict and millions of our fellow citizens now face threats of starvation in the face of rising food insecurity.

“In many parts of the country, mass killings go unpunished and unresolved, inter-communal clashes have become chronic, economic deprivations and growing social exclusion and feelings of alienation, particularly among the youths are being exploited by segments of the elite with potentially dangerous and painful consequences for us all.

“These developments are sources of serious concern for the Nigeria Peace Committee. We know, of course that we are not alone in our worries and would like to commend the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbanjo, for engaging with leaders of influence across the South-East and North in a bid to check the rise of mutual hostility and tension that have been stoked by elements from parts of the country.

“Nonetheless, the National Peace Committee appeals to further voices of leadership, reason and moderation from all communities in the country to reinforce the message of the Acting President.

“At this time in Nigeria, more than ever before, we need government at all levels, which work for the people, with commitment to respect for the rule of law and to the security and well wellbeing of persons and communities in the country.

“We also need credible institutions, an economy that guarantees a fair deal and outcome for hardworking people, better physical infrastructures and an enabling environment in which citizens can thrive.

“The National Peace Committee therefore calls on State governments to commit to developing their own people more and relying less on Abuja to fund their consumption through monthly allocations.

“We also encourage the Acting President and the Federal Government to remain steadfast in the steps they are taking to reassure all communities and citizens of equal stake holding in the Nigerian project. In brief, Nigerians need an effective state that we can all call our own.

SOURCE: DAILY SUN

Source:Daily Sun

SOURCE

Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, the leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Salvation Force, NDPSF,   and one of the arrowheads in the struggle to redress perceived injustice in the Niger Delta has said that Biafra will be independent whether some people in the country like it or not. Dokubo-Asari who said that he is a Biafran and not a Nigerian also said that the current agitation for the sovereign state of Biafra is not a call for war but that “Leave us let us go.” He said, Like Pharaoh, the Hebrews should be allowed to leave the north, maintaining that  anybody who would not let Biafra go will drown in the Red Sea. “They will drown if they pursue us.” Asari-Dokubo Corroborating what the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu had said some days back, Alhaji Dokubo-Asari also said that the current agitation for the sovereign state of Biafra is not a call for war but that of self independence. Alhaji Asari-Dokubo said, “I’m not a Nigerian. Nations are not imposed on people. People don’t sit down in Berlin or anywhere and make people Nigerians. Nations are created by the will of the people. My people have never accepted Nigeria and so, how can I be a Nigerian? Nobody can impose Nigeria on me.” “The free will of the people create nations. If everybody gathered together, the Ijaw people, you know which includes the kalabari people, nobody forced the Kalabari people to become Ijaw people, because naturally, they know they are Ijaw people.” “So, nobody will force an Owerri man, an Nkwere man to be an Igbo person, he naturally knows he is an Igbo person.” “So, if we want to be Nigerians, then we have to sit down, and decide for ourselves that today, we are going to be, or as separate identities, and accept Nigeria as our country, as our nation and we become Nigerians. We’ve not done that.” “When I go up north, do they see me as a Nigerian? They don’t! They call me ‘Nyamiri.’ They call me Nyamiri! When I go to Yoruba land, do they see me as a Nigerian? They call me ‘Omo Kobokobo.’ That’s what they call me! Omo Kobokobo.” “ When a Yoruba man goes up north, they call him ‘Oyede Banza.’ When a Fulani man comes up to Yoruba land, what do they call him? They call him Gambari!” “I used to hear a story that there were about three people in a bus and the driver asked the conductor, how many people were in the bus and the conductor said two persons and one Gambari. He said shut up your mouth, is Gambari not a human being? But the conductor said that is your business o, me I know that in this bus there are two persons and one Gamari.” “So, if in the north there is a riot, they don’t kill Senegalese, they don’t kill British, they don’t kill Lebanese, they will kill a Yoruba man. They will kill an Igbo man, they will kill an Ijaw man. They will kill an Efik man, they will kill others but they will not kill a Lebanese, they don’t kill a Senegalese, they don’t kill Nigerien or Malian. That clearly shows that they don’t need you.” “Listen to the interview of that rogue that they are celebrating. People who joined to steal Ijaw people’s resources, Ahmadu  Bello. What did he say in his interview? ‘That if they want to employ people in the north, they will first of all take Europeans and so on, then when it comes, if they are going to consider Africans they will take Sudanese and so on but when they are going to consider other Nigerians, they will take them on contract. It is there, they can’t deny it.” “What country are you talking about? Obafemi Awolowo said Nigeria is just a geographical residence. But me, I’m not a Nigerian, I will never be a Nigerian!” On his thoughts about Biafran agitation “I’m a Biafran! Yes, in 1967, Biafra was declared and my people were part of the declaration of Biafra. The man who gave the name Biafra to Biafra was an Ijaw man, Chief Frank Opigbo. The man who first plaid the Biafran national anthem was Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson…1967 declaration of Biafra, I am a Biafran. So, the agitation, I am part of the agitation for the realization of the sovereign state of Biafra.” On whether dialogue and restructuring can solve the imbalance in the country “50 years after Biafra, what has been stopping the dialogue? 50 years is not enough for dialogue? 50 years is not enough for restructuring?” “I am 52 years old. So, since I was three years old, they went to Aburi. Aburi failed. So, what stopped them if they really believed we can co-exist? If they really believed we can peaceful;ly live together, what stops them form restructuring Nigeria, from doing the needful in the past 50 years?” “Is it now? So we are going to wait for another 50 years under the bondage of the people we are better than? People the United Nation and all agencies in the world said, in educational index, they are the lowest. In poverty index, they are the lowest. In everything, they are the lowest. Infant mortality, they are the lowest. VVf, it is more prevalent in their place. Are they the people?” “ The people who everyday stand up, bring ‘maitasin, bring the ‘izalah’, bring troika versus ‘quadiriha,’ bring Boko Haram, bring this, bring that one, kill people, election violence,… why will we be able to live together with these animals?” “So, who is fighting” We said we want to go, if they want to die, let them sit with us, we say please oh, we no wan live with you. Na by force?” “You get neighbough, I don’t have any resemblance with you. Even my father self, if I marry, I no go leave my father house? Na by force say I go live for my father house? Na by force say I go live with my brothers, if they are our brothers? Na by force say I go live with my sister?” “So, we are not asking for war? Who wants to die? I don’t want to die. I have 21 children. I want to enjoy my life to ninety-something. My grand mother died at the age of 94. My uncle just died at the age of 98. I want to enjoy my life very well, kokoro to the end.” “ So, who is calling for war? Who is calling for crisis? They are the ones who are attacking IPOB members. They are the ones who are killing people. They are the ones who are said they have the power to kill.” “Nobody is saying we want to kill anybody. Leave us let us go. Like Pharaoh,  leave the Hebrews to leave the north. He drowned in the Red Sea. They will drown if they pursue us.” On the solution “The solution is for us to leave! Every one of us. Simple. We want to We wan leave. No gragra, no nothing. Na gragra dey tear cloth.” “I am not a member of IPOB but am a Biafran. IPOB is one of the organization. I am into the Biafran agitation. My method of agitation might be different from the method of the IPOB. But we are going to the same direction so we have to work together. I have to hold IPOB, put our hands together and walk together to our destination. But that does not mean I’m a member of IPOB.” On the varying opinions of some southern leaders in the country about Biafra “ Which leaders? The people who are afraid, people who are lily-livered? People who are sea sick to frown off their mate? They are lily-livered!” “Tha Kano would have 44 local government and Bayelsa will have eight local government and Kano brings nothing, nothing to the sharing at Abuja at the end of the month and you are a leader, why should they take you serious? You have been there always, you cannot talk in front of your people.” “The Governor of Rivers state would like a slave ‘kokokokokoko, take our traditional rulers, go to Sokoto to  go and bow down to the son of Usman Dan Fodio and say he is the Governor of Rivers state. But when he is shaking his traditional rulers, his traditional rulers will bow for him. Such idiots are the people you say are our leaders? Who made them leaders?”

SOURCE: VANGUARD