The sit-at-home order by the Pro Biafra groups in commemoration of the 50 years anniversary of the declaration of the State of Biafra has come and gone but not after recording a huge success in virtually all the Southeast states and in some parts of South South.
BVI correspondents reported that commercial activities were shut down in major cities in Anambra, Enugu, Abia, Rivers and Imo.
In Awka, all the markets, banks and schools were under lock and key in total compliance with the sit-at-home order. The same was recorded in Onitsha, Nnewi, Ekwulobia and Ihiala.
The Customary Government of IPOB Administrator, Engr Anthony Aniebue, told BVI in Awka that the restoration of Biafra was a matter of time. To him, the people of Biafra had made a statement with one resounding voice.
He said that from now, the Nigerian Government, as well as the international community, would begin to take the Biafra agitation more seriously.
Aniebue confirmed to BVI that the struggle to restore Biafra had entered the final stage with two major ideologies being sponsored by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and Barr Emeka Emekesri.
‘The public should now understand the clear roadmap to achieve Biafra now that the world attention has been drawn to Biafra.
‘The first ideological strategy is the pursuit of self-determination by due process of law consisting of legal, political and diplomatic methods. By this methodology, the core Biafran activists are advised to take over the political power in the whole of Biafraland and put Biafran activists in government houses and houses of assembly,’ Aniebue said.
He expressed the hope that with the army of Biafra activists spread across the country, they could use their vote to put any of the Biafran activists in power.
‘They can then pass the Biafran Bills into Law in their houses of assembly and create the Biafran Government by Law at regional level first. This is the first stage of the struggle for independence. The second stage is for the Biafrans to then decide by a referendum whether they will pull out entirely from Nigeria and gain total independence or continue to govern themselves as Biafrans within Nigeria,’ Aniebue said.
BVI understands that at the first and second stages of the strategy, there will be some diplomatic meetings and negotiations with the Nigerian authorities and the powerful countries in the international community for the final pull-out.
This strategy is advocated by Barrister Emeka Emekesiri, the solicitor for the Indigenous People of Biafra and the vision bearer of the legal methodology of self-determination, which he commenced with the case between Biafra and Nigeria in the Federal High Court, Owerri in 2012.
According to Aniebue, the challenge for Biafrans now was to install hard core Biafran activists in power who could use the state power to their advantage and speed up the Biafran project.
Aniebue further gave an insight into the second ideological strategy by Kanu as civil disobedience, protest and rejection of what he called the obnoxious order against the Biafra people still living in Nigeria, which included boycotting elections where necessary, and all within the framework of the law.
‘The proponents of this methodology believe that the Nigerian Constitution is fraudulent and therefore every election under the fraudulent Constitution is a continuation of enslavement in Nigeria. They do not believe in obtaining self-governance as Biafrans within Nigeria first before pulling out from Nigeria entirely,’ he pointed out.
When BVI sought the opinion of the image maker of the Customary Govt of IPOB, Comrade Ndubuisi Anaenugwu, on the next action after the success recorded with the sit-at-home, he said there were three ways of getting independence for a nation, namely: Military, Political and Judicial methods.
According to Anaenugwu, the next action would be to play the politics of Biafra within and outside Nigeria and use Biafran sentiment to put Biafra activists into political power to effect necessary political and economic lobbying.
For Major Gen Onwuegbune (Rtd), Biafrans had fought a war and should now use legal, diplomatic and political strategies to achieve independence. Onwuegbuna advised Biafrans to love themselves and avoid any internal misunderstanding.
However, what has constituted a clog in the wheel of the Biafra struggle is the apparent disinterest by the Igbo elite. But the incarceration and release of Nnamdi Kanu appears to have begun the process of making the elite to take more than a passing interest in the agitation.
The involvement of these elite will, no doubt, give an intellectual bent to the agitation and de-robe it of the negative perception in many quarters that it is championed by the wretched of the Biafran earth.
AFTER SIT-AT -HOME;WHAT NEXT
Biafra: Another war we can’t afford
The Biafra spirit is alive today as much as it was 50 years ago when, on May 30, 1967, the governor of the Eastern Region, Col. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, declared the territories under his control independent of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This separatist republic was known as the Republic of Biafra. Despite the collapse of the separatist republic in 1970, the agitation for the actualisation of the sovereign state of Biafra has continued peacefully, first with the idea being whispered and discussed in hushed tones among the masses of the Igbo heartland states in the South East geo-political zone, while the elite remained aloof and assumed a posture of indifference that could be taken as scorn for the idea of secession. The attitude of the elite of the Igbo towards the Biafra agitation was because successive governments since the end of hostilities in 1970 have extended a token of patronage to them as a step towards inclusiveness in government and consequent integration into the socio-economic equation of the Nigerian federation; a gesture the very hard-working and industrious people of the South East took full advantage of and prospered tremendously. For example, following the return to civil rule in 1979, the rest of the Nigerian nation ceded the vice presidency to the East in the person of Dr. Alex Ekwueme. In 1985, another Igbo man, Ebitu Ukiwe, was appointed as the Chief of General Staff and second-in-command in the military presidency of Ibrahim Babangida. Between 1999 and 2007, Igbo sons and daughters played leading roles in the kitchen cabinet, economic management team and National Security Council of the Olusegun Obasanjo administration. The Umar Musa Yar’Adua administration in 2009 appointed Ogbonna Onovo as the first Igbo IGP in the history of Nigeria.
However, all of these have changed in the last two years. For a close and objective observer of events in Nigeria since the beginning of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, it is manifestly clear that the Igbo ethnic group has never been this marginalised in the history of Nigeria. The victorious President Buhari has largely treated the Igbo as a conquered people. He has excluded them from his kitchen cabinet and National Security Council. These have further exacerbated the structural marginalisation of the Igbo, who have the least number of states and local governments in Nigeria, which makes them work hardest for the lowest reward. The Buhari administration appears to be punishing the whole South East for making a democratic choice against him. This heightened marginalisation of the Igbo has negatively affected the political elite in an unprecedented manner, leading to a drastic reduction in their already meagre privileges of state patronage. Today, the leading elite and masses of the Igbo have been passed through the crucible of deprivation by the Buhari administration and have become pressured into one. To every Igbo man, Biafra is utopia; the final solution to their problems of restricted development and prosperity. This new wave of sentiment is responsible for the near total compliance with the sit-at-home order issued by MASSOB to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the declaration of the Republic of Biafra.
There is no consensus of opinion among historians as to the real cause of the Civil War. However, a close look at some events before, during and after the war may reveal some leads into resolving the Biafra question. Among the various ethnic groups that formed amalgamated Nigeria, only the Igbo appears to have embraced the concept of the realities of the new modern state. The predominantly Muslim Hausa-Fulani of the north were very pessimistic about the prospect of a union in which they would co-habit with “a people that are not a people’’. To make matters worse, the new standard of participation in state affairs would be the acquisition of Western education, an area in which they were clearly disadvantaged because of the almost one century gap between the introduction of education by Christian missionaries to the southern part of the union and the period of the establishment of colonial government schools in the North. The fear of domination by the Christian South in the event of an independent Nigeria was real in the North. This fear was further heightened by the arrogance of education exhibited by some southern elite. Northerners were often ridiculed on account of their perceived backwardness. This unfortunate scenario was as a result of the fact that the basis of Nigeria’s political process was defined around ethno-geographic parameters. The education of the southern elite didn’t transform them from the comfort zones of their ethnic niche to broad-minded nationalists. As expected of patriots, rather than ridiculing their fellow countrymen in the northern region for their educational backwardness, their enlightenment should have made them broad-minded and sympathetic enough to view the problems of the North as a Nigerian problem and not a regional one, requiring all hands on deck. The North’s reaction was to insist on a rigid form of regional federal structure and leveraged on its large size in terms of land mass and population to negotiate a favourable political deal that guaranteed steady development at its own pace.
Consequently, the ethnic regional structure of the first republic gave rise to a conflict of indigenship of regions and citizenship of the country. Having embraced the concept of a united modern Nigeria wholeheartedly, largely because the pre-colonial political culture of the Igbo reflected the modern practices of democracy and consensus building, while their traditional economy was devoid of feudalist advantages but hinged on hard work and merit, they moved freely around the evolving nation of Nigeria and made a home out of every part. However, their success attracted envy and suspicion in their host communities outside the Eastern Region. The young middle cadre military officers of mostly Igbo origin that staged the January 1966 coup were clearly unable to reconcile the realities of a strong regional federation and their ideals of nationalism and military service to fatherland. It was the conflict of regional indigeneship and Nigerian citizenship that boiled over into the bloody chain reactions of the coup, counter-coup and civil war between 1966 and 1970.
The lesson not learnt from the war is the need to resolve the various conflicts of interests militating against the transformation of Nigeria into a truly united, egalitarian and prosperous nation. The Biafran war brought to the fore the question of the right and privileges of a Nigerian citizen living outside his region of origin. The leaders of the first republic and those after them failed to resolve this question satisfactorily. After the regions, states were also created along ethno-geographic fault lines rather than on economically pragmatic settlement patterns that took into consideration the preservation of Nigeria’s unity in diversity. In resolving this question, the federating units should become organic and move away from being rigid ethno-geographic structures to flexible entities that allow for the proper assimilation and integration of any citizen of Nigeria who, for political, cultural and economic reasons, choses to reside in a federating unit outside his place of origin. The acceptance, integration and assimilation of the Igbo in all parts of Nigeria will go a long way in resolving this crisis. If their energy and skills are accommodated by Nigerians, it will be a source of prosperity for any community where they settle. The industrious enterprise of the Igbo should not be scorned but appreciated and considered worthy of emulation.
The danger posed to the existence of the Nigerian nation by a passive but defiant war being waged between ‘Biafra’ and Nigeria is real. The first and immediate step at resolving this impasse is for the current administration to reconstitute the relevant organs of government to fully include the South East, particularly the National Security Council. Furthermore, the rest of Nigeria should reach a consensus aimed at making the otherwise cumbersome creation of states and local government smooth and easy to bring the South East at par with the rest of the country. Finally, political leaders across the geo-political zones in a bipartisan manner should set a timeline for the emergence of a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction.
Biafra: 50 years dream that refuses to die
As Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Ohanaeze President-General, Chief Nnia Nwodo and a host of others spoke about Biafra, at an event commemorating the declaration of the failed Eastern Nigerian republic, I could not help but wonder what would have become of the Federal Republic of Biafra by now had it succeeded. Would Biafra have been a successful country and among nations to be reckoned with in the world? Would Biafra have been a struggling republic, like Nigeria, which is yet to attain its potentiality? Would Biafra have been worth the trouble and blood of the Igbo and South southerners, who believed in it and fought for it?
Well, one is not God, who knows everything and, therefore, could say what would have become of Biafra, as a country. However, if prevailing indices are anything to go by, perhaps, Biafra, had it succeeded, could have been a country, all things being equal, which would have advanced, in socio-economic development. Yes, a country at war, which was able to refine petroleum products, with a decrepit infrastructure, a nation at war, which was able to develop a bomb (Ogbunigwe), fabricate aircraft (Biafran Mosquito and others), armoured tank, warship and others, could have, in time of peace, done much more. Yes, a country at war, which fought for three years, with what could pass for bare hands, against a Nigeria that had the support of other nations, perhaps, could not have been a pushover. Indeed, a nation with enterprising citizens, who go out and make success in their environment could also have attained greatness or on the verge of it. However, for a Biafra, whose people are mobile and love to go to other places to conquer, is it possible that all Igbo investments now spread across Nigeria, in their trillions of dollars, could have been domiciled in the Biafran enclave and, therefore, ensures the development of the country? This is a food for thought.
Fifty years ago, then Col. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, military governor of Eastern Nigeria, after consultation with the people, had declared Biafra. Today, Biafra still resonates among the majority of those in its territory then. Has anybody wondered why this is so? I am persuaded that Biafra is still an issue because the fundamental issues Ojukwu raised, in declaring the country, are yet to be addressed. They bother on security, injustice and inequality.
For the avoidance of doubt, Ojukwu had stated on May 30, 1967: “Fellow countrymen and women, you, the people of Eastern Nigeria: Conscious of the supreme authority of Almighty God over all mankind, of your duty to yourselves and prosperity; Aware that you can no longer be protected in your lives and in your property by any government based outside Eastern Nigeria; Believing that you are born free and have certain inalienable rights, which can best be preserved by yourselves; Unwilling to be unfree partners in any association of a political or economic nature; Rejecting the authority of any person or persons other than the Military Government of Eastern Nigeria to make any imposition of whatever kind or nature upon you; Determined to dissolve all political and other ties between you and the former Federal Republic of Nigeria; Prepared to enter into such association, treaty or alliance with any sovereign state within the former Federal Republic of Nigeria and elsewhere on such terms and conditions, as best to subserve your common good; Affirming your trust and confidence in me; Having mandated me to proclaim on your behalf, and in your name the Eastern Nigeria be a sovereign independent Republic. Now, Therefore I, Lieutenant-Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Military Governor of Eastern Nigeria, by virtue of the authority, and pursuant to the principles recited above, do hereby solemnly proclaim that the territory and region known as and called Eastern Nigeria together with her continental shelf and territorial waters shall henceforth be an independent sovereign state of the name and title of The Republic of Biafra.”
Today, Igbo still feel thus: “Aware that you can no longer be protected in your lives and in your property by any government based outside Eastern Nigeria,” as, at every provocation and in matters they are not even involved, they are killed and their property destroyed, as it happens often in the North. Today, Igbo are still feeling this way: “Unwilling to be unfree partners in any association of a political or economic nature,” as they face tough times where they live and ply their trade, owing to conscious and unconscious efforts by people, who either do not like them or afraid of them. Today, Igbo strongly feels thus: “Believing that you are born free and have certain inalienable rights, which can best be preserved by yourselves,” as they go places and, out of share hard work, vision and drive, conquer their environment and make success of it, no matter the odds.
This means that nothing much has changed from what they were in the days leading to the Civil War. However, I do appreciate Osinbajo’s approach to the whole matter. I do commend his thoughts about Biafra. I do appreciate his understanding that equity and justice are the things that provoke agitations. I do commend his handling of the recent sit-at-home order called by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which paralysed the South East and some parts of South South, as there was no report of extra-judicial killing by security agents. These are what were missing before. Now, where President Muhammadu Buhari used threat and force, Osinbajo used diplomacy and reason. Where President Buhari talked down on the people, Osinbajo raised their hopes, by saying that there was more to achieve together.
Yes, despite the fact that Biafra agitation continues, the tension has come down. The difference is the approach of the man at the helm of affairs. Some people accused President Buhari of fanning the embers of Biafra. Of course, this is true. He chose every talking opportunity to speak about Biafra in the most uncharitable and condescending manner. His government’s attitude towards Igbo is, to say the least, unfavourable, as seen in appointments and location of projects.
Taking all these together, there is an urgent need for a change of attitude by other Nigerians, as a people and government, as institution, towards the Igbo. Igbo are not asking for anything special, other than justice, fairness and equity. The Igbo are ready to compete on a level playing field. The Igbo have proved to be the most patriotic Nigerians, as they are, mostly, Nigerians, who go to other parts of the country and call it home, establishing business and building houses. Whereas most other Nigerians put their investments in their domain, Igbo move out, make effort, succeed and dig in. This may be foolishness, but it shows their belief in one nation, where love and fairness reign.
The Federal Government and indeed, other Nigerians ought to worry that IPOB and the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) asked the “Biafra” to stay indoors on May 30 and they did, without compulsion. They should be worried enough, to begin to do something that would make the Igbo, whether they were born before 1967 or not, to stop dreaming of Biafra, but have a sense of belonging in a country, where fate has made them part of. This should ginger them to action, to build an egalitarian society were there are no slaves and freeborn.
For the Biafra agitators, they should decide whether they want propaganda or out to cause a change. Inasmuch as I admire the likes of Ralph Uwazuruike and Nnamdi Kanu, who have the impetus to talk about Biafra and mobilise for it, I believe they should define what they are really up to. Now, for instance, is Kanu a political leader or religious leader? I heard that people now bow for him, as a Judaism adherent. What is this for? Kanu should know that if he makes Biafra a religious matter, tied round Judaism, he would be alienating some people, who may be Christians, Muslims or non-believers but believe in his cause. As someone said, “Igbo are Igbo”, while “Jews are Jews.” God had already created the Igbo and given them that special gift to excel. They have their identity. It is for them to use the God-given potentiality positively, purposely and tactfully. With this, they cannot be ignored, in Nigeria, or anywhere they find themselves. Never!
Source: daily Sun
CG-IPOB ADMINISTRATOR ADDRESSES BIAFRANS
AN ADDRESS BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE CUSTOMARY GOVERNMENT OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF BIAFRA, CG-IPOB TO ALL BIAFRANS ON THE OCCASION OF THE HERO’S DAY AND COMMEMORATION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DECLARATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF BIAFRA BY GENERAL CHUKWUEMEKA ODUMEGWU OJUKWU, THE PEOPLES GENERAL
My fellow Biafrans, I salute you all. On a day like today, 30th day of the month of May, in the year of Our Lord 1967, our great people of Biafra took the world like a storm by declaring the birth of a new Republic to be known as the Republic of Biafra. On a day like today our great people of Biafra accepted to take their destiny in their own hands. On a day like today, our heroes and heroines stood up, defiantly to challenge an orchestrated attempt by the force of extermination descending on them from the better-equipped army of Nigeria.
Today, 30th day of May 2017, our great people of Biafra are remembering over 3.5 million Biafrans killed by the combined forces of the world power in the planned effort to bring back our people into the Nigeria Federation. Today, we remember all those killed in the Northern and western Nigeria during the pogrom. Today, we remember all those heroes of our people slaughtered in cold-blood by the combined forces of the world, backing Nigerian troops as they dropped bombs inside markets, Churches, Schools, and other civilian locations all over Biafraland, in the most senseless war ever recorded in history. Today we remember those civilian Biafrans still being killed all over Nigeria, for the mere reason that they are Biafrans. Today we remember the slaughtered pro-Biafrans agitators that are continually being killed for peacefully agitating for Biafra.
My fellow Biafrans, today we Biafrans are mourning our dead. We are equally celebrating that challenge of our life. It is a day when the great valiant Biafran people decided to stand up to stop the move by the radical Islamic force called Nigerian military to exterminate our people.
That war can never be forgotten. All those attempting to make us forget that horrid experience, must be told in an unmistakable terms that WE CAN NEVER FORGET. Yes, we might forgive, but we can never forget.
Therefore as we mourn our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters and all our loved ones who died that we may live, may we do a very serious mind-searching on the issues of the moment. Today, we Biafrans are on another mission to restore that lost Republic, through another route. Let the power of history be our watchword.
The world stood by and watch as over 3.5 million people, both combatants and noncombatants were slaughtered, some cold bloodedly, without doing anything to stop the carnage. Today, 50 years after, the world has said nothing. The world, with all their conscience being canvassed, stood by, sometimes aiding Nigerian troops, as they mercilessly murder our mothers, and sisters and children, without as much as condemned the orgy of blood.
My fellow Biafrans, let me remind you that going by that horrid experience, we the Customary Government of indigenous people of Biafra, has declared today, and every other day of 30th May every year as Biafra cultural day of mourning of our dead relatives. In doing this, my fellow Biafrans be law abiding. Do all you want to do to mourn our dead without violence. Respect the law of the land wherever you reside. Show the world that we Biafrans are passionate about our loss. Our people do mourn and bury our dead respectively. So dead Biafrans must be mourned respectively. Do not force anybody to do particular things for this occasion. Let our conscience carry us through.
Therefore , let all Biafrans be cautious and careful. The situation is still not clement. Be smart, sharp and vigilant.
Biafrans, mourn your dead.
Thank you.
Aniebue Anthony
Administrator, Customary Government of Indigenous People of Biafra CG-IPOB.
TWO CLEAR IDEOLOGIES EMERGE IN THE PUSH TO ACHIEVE BIAFRA
BIAFRA v NIGERIA- MATTERS ARISING FROM THE LEGACIES OF BIAFRA CONFERENCE HELD IN LONDON: BARRISTER EMEKA EMEKESIRI PROFFERS THE SOLUTION TO THE BIAFRA-NIGERIA CONUNDRUM
The Legacies of Biafra Conference held at SOAS of the University of London 21 – 22 April 2017 has been described as very successful. Please find attached the Lecture delivered by Barrister Emeka Emekesiri at the event. The Conference has thrown up certain matters which the Biafrans have been advised to attend to in their quest for self-determination. At the moment, two ideological differences have emerged, namely:
1. The first ideological strategy is the pursuit of self-determination by due process of law consisting of legal, political and diplomatic methods. By this methodology, the core Biafran activists are advised to take over the political power in the whole of Biafraland and put Biafran activists in the Government Houses and Houses of Assembly. With their millions of activists they can use their vote to put any of the Biafran activists in power. They can then pass the Biafran Bills into Law in their Houses of Assembly and create the Biafran Government by Law at regional level first. This is the first stage of the Struggle for Independence. The second stage is for the Biafrans then to decide by a Referendum whether they will pull out entirely from Nigeria and gain total independence or continue to govern themselves as Biafrans within Nigeria. At the first and second stages of the strategy, there will be some diplomatic meetings and negotiations with the Nigerian authorities and the powerful countries in the International Community for the final pull-out. This strategy is advocated by Barrister Emeka Emekesiri, the Solicitor for Indigenous People of Biafra and the vision bearer of the legal methodology of self-determination which he commenced with the case between Biafra and Nigeria in the Federal High Court Owerri. To lay a proper foundation for this strategy, the vision bearer and those who believe in this method have activated the political structure called MOBIN (Movement of Biafrans in Nigeria) in alliance with the United Progressive Party (UPP) which they have adopted as the Biafran National Party just as the Scottish activists have the SNP in the British politics advocating for the Independence of Scotland. The challenge the Biafrans have now is to install hardcore Biafran activists in power who can use the State Power to their advantage and speed up the Biafran project.
2. The second ideological strategy is the boycotting of the elections in Biafraland and abstaining from all involvements with the Nigerian politics and law. The proponents of this methodology believe that the Nigerian Constitution is fraudulent and therefore every election under the fraudulent Constitution is a continuation of enslavement in Nigeria. They do not believe in obtaining self-governance as Biafrans within Nigeria first before pulling out from Nigeria entirely. Those who believe in this method said that if the Biafrans boycott the elections, abstain from the Nigerian politics and resist the fraudulent Constitution, Biafra would come. They have not explained how Biafra would come but they sincerely believe that Biafra would come by divine intervention if we boycott the elections. They have no answer or solution or clearly defined methodology to achieve Biafra but believe that God will cause Biafra to come by miracle if we boycott the elections, census and voters registration going on in Biafraland now.
Two figures have emerged with these ideological differences. The first figure advocating legal, political and diplomatic strategies is Barrister Emeka Emekesiri while the second figure advocating the boycotting of politics, elections and rejection of legal method is Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Barr Emekesiri has explained that there are three ways of getting independence for a nation, namely: (a) Military method, that is, war and violence; (b) Political method, that is, engaging in politics and passing the Bill of Referendum or Bill of Independence into law and creating the new nation by law; (c) Judicial method, that is, by using the powers of the Court (national or international court) to declare the peoples right to self-determination and carving out their territory by Court Order. It was by the Order of the International Court of Justice that Bakassi was carved out from Nigeria and given over to Cameroon.
The Biafrans were told to boycott the elections in 2015 by the Radio Biafra broadcaster so that Biafra would come but Biafra did not come. The boycott made President Goodluck Jonathan to lose the election to General Mohammadu Buhari. We are now crying for allowing the Moslems to take over power with which they persecute us today. Also the Biafrans were told to boycott the census in 2006 by Ralph Uwazuruike and now we have become the minority region in the official records held by the world bodies for Nigeria.
All the Biafrans are free to choose the method they want to believe and follow. They don’t have to attack one another. Any person who is interested in identifying with this cause by the rule of law consisting of legal, political and diplomatic methods is advised to reply this email and confirm his or her acceptance. The person is advised to contact MOBIN Directors by email at mobinbiafra@protonmail.com; or mobin.freebiafra@gmail.com; or visit their website at www.mobin.ng
There is no need for the Biafrans to quarrel among themselves. We have decided to re-organize the movement and re-strategise for the final battle of wits. It is now the battle of the brains. Much noise has been made. Time of noise-making is over. The noise-making was good and has served its purpose in creating much awareness. We believe that we will beat the Nigerians in their own game just as we have beaten them in the Federal High Court Owerri where they have no good defence. The Solicitor has informed us that the case in Court has legalized the Biafran Struggle and purchased judicial immunity for all the Biafrans. While the case is pending in Court, the Biafrans have the right to govern themselves under Customary Law until they pass the Biafran Bill into law in any of the Houses of Assembly in Biafraland to create a statutory Government of Biafra at regional level.
Any person who has not got a copy of the Lecture delivered by Barrister Emeka Emekesiri at the University of London is advised to write to Indigenous People of Biafra by email to ipobiafra@yahoo.com and request for a copy. In the Lecture, he proffered the best solution to the Biafra-Nigeria conundrum. This is another formula he has invented to solve national problems just like the other formulae he has created in Nigeria including the formula for the Petroleum Industry Bill currently before the National Assembly which the Northerners have opposed.
Yours faithfully,
Admin Officer
Indigenous People of Biafra
PRESS RELEASE-29/05/2017
EBONYI STATE IS NOW THE SEAT OF GOVT OF OCCUPATION
28/05/2017
THE RESPONSE OF THE CUSTOMARY GOVERNMENT OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF BIAFRA CG-IPOB TO THE INCIDENT IN ABAKALIKI , EBONYI STATE BIAFRA(NIGERIA).
The Customary Government of Indigenous People of Biafra (CG-IPOB) is shocked to hear that one of the peaceful activities organized by the Director of Political Education and Governance of Movement of Biafrans in Nigeria (MOBIN) – Evangelist Joe Agbo was disrupted by a bunch of thugs suspected to have been sent by the Governor of Ebonyi State – Gov Umahi. The event was to mark Evangelist Agbo 50th birthday celebration which coincided with 50th anniversary of declaration of independent state of Biafra by Gen. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the Peoples General and hero’s day in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
We wish to raise an alarm for the introduction of this cankerworm and remind Gov Umahi that during the South Sudanese war of independence, President Al Bashir of Sudan, used some South Sudanese thugs called Janjaweeds militia (men on horse) to terrorize the southern Sudanese towns and villages, killing their people, burning houses, raping women and girls, and looting wherever they attacked. Since the activation of this sickly innovation, the lives of Southern Sudanese have never been the same. Today, fraternal war has continued to devastate that young nation years after independence.
The event of 27th May 2017 at Abakaliki Ebonyi State Biafra(Nigeria) has initiated a new dimension in Biafran struggle for restoration of sovereignty, where Governor Umahi used thugs to disrupt a peaceful but legal activity of Movement of Biafrans in Nigeria (MOBIN) in Biafra land.
The Customary Government of indigenous people of Biafra (CG-IPOB) wishes therefore to alert the world of the emergent of this new but highly obnoxious innovation which if not condemned and checked by all peaceful people of the world can chart a new route to the ‘South Sudanese experiment’ in Biafra. The Customary Government therefore condemn in totality the introduction by Ebonyi state Government of this dangerous move into the indigenous people of Biafras’ peaceful approach to freedom.The Customary Government is equally appealing to all peaceful people of the world to rise up and condemn this recent move by Nigerian government of occupation to introduce the South Sudanese experience into Biafra land.
It is very regrettable that Ebonyi State Governor, Mr. Umahi could allow himself to be used as a willing tool to set into operation this dangerous trend of instigating a brother against his brother inside Biafra land. We wish to remind him that setting brother against his fellow brother in Biafra cannot be allowed and tolerated in whatever form or means. The world cannot afford to have another South Sudan in West Africa. The leaders of peaceful world should therefore rise up in total condemnation of this beastiality in Governance in Biafra land.
The Customary Government of Indigenous People of Biafra cannot accept Gov Umahi’s explanation that Abuja was not comfortable with the conference ,and that DSS mounted pressure on him to stop the event.That explanation was unintelligent as the same conference on Biafra was allowed in Musa Yarudua Centre, Abuja few days ago where the Vice President spoke on Biafra. If DSS was interested in stopping the conference in Abakiliki as opined by Gov Umahi , why using Government agent led by Mark Onu to disrupt the event? Is DSS afraid to invite the organizers of the event for interrogation? Customary Govt of IPOB wishes to put it on record that should anything happen the Evangelist Joe Agbo,a preacher , an academia and an activist per excellence , Gov Umahi will have the entire Biafra people to confront.The battle line has been drawn and going forward ,we shall view Ebonyi state as the seat of Government of occupation .
CG- IPOB wishes to thank all Biafrans for their resolve to remain peaceful and non-violent in this struggle for freedom despite all provocation by the agents of Nigerian Government of occupation. It is our fundamental human rights to be free as a people. It is our inalienable rights as indigenous people created by God to be allowed to live and manage our affairs unhindered by anybody in free world of democracy and freedom. We cannot continue to be caged and fettered in a world that proclaim liberty to all men of God.Biafrans have the right to enjoy freedom like any other human being created by God.
The Customary Government of Indigenous People of Biafra ,once again call on all Biafrans to remain law abiding throughout this period of celebration to remember our departed Heroes who died defending this land that we may live.
Freedom to Biafra!
Freedom to indigenous people of Biafra!
Freedom to all who desire it!
Thank you.
Aniebue Anthony.
The Administrator ,
Customary Government of Indigenous People of Biafra CG-IPOB
50 YEARS AFTER BIAFRA: REFLECTIONS AND HOPES
Biafra Day: IPOB extends sit-at-home order to 14 cities
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has extended its sit-at-home order declared on May 30, 2017 to other parts of Nigeria where Biafrans and supporters reside.
The order was extended to states like Kano, Kaduna, Jos, Makurdi, Ibadan, Benin, Abuja, Lagos, Lokoja, Gigawa, Jalingo, Mubi, Yola, Lafia, among others.
Despite several warnings by security agencies against the order, IPOB insisted that the order must hold to honour Biafran fallen heroes who lost their lives during the civil war between 1967 and 1970.
A statement by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Mr. Emma Powerful said its leader, Nnamdi Kanu had written to all governors, market, religious and community leaders in Biafraland to help ensure that May 30 would be memorable in the history of this country.
“This sit-at-home order/remembrance and honour of our fallen heroes slated to be observed on May 30, will be the best thing to happen to the people of Biafra since 50 years.
“It will be monitored by international observers, after which the struggle for Biafra freedom, will move to another level.
“Therefore, everybody, both old and young, man and woman must stay indoors, no protest, no human or vehicular movements in Biafraland from 6:00 am to 6:00pm on that day.
“Biafrans world over must honour and remember our fallen heroes and heroines who died for our freedom between 1967 and 1970, those who died during our peaceful rally and protest from August 30, 2015 till date.
“Biafrans and IPOB members worldwide living outside Biafraland should present a written letter containing the plights of our people to the authorities and governments of their respective countries.
“The people of Biafra will not fail to honour and remember those who contributed immensely to fight and save the lives of our children, some of whom were starved to death by the policy of the then government.
“We will celebrate and honour Mr. Mathew Tawo Mbu from Ogoja, he was the Biafran foreign minister from the beginning to the end of the war, Captain Willy Murray Bruce, this man was second in command of the Biafran Air force, this Ijaw man fought to the last to defend his country Biafra, Ambassador Ignatius Kogbara, this man from Ogoni was a Biafran envoy to London, he was the very last man to surrender during the war of genocide against our people.
“We must remember them in two minutes prayer immediately it is 12 noon on that day. We must remember them in prayer, both the dead and those still alive today,” Powerful said.
Movement for the Actualisation of a Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), has described the sit-at-home as an honour to the late Biafra leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu- Ojukwu.
In a statement issued by MASSOB Director of Information, Edeson Samuel called on all Igbo to observe the sit-at-home as a mark of honour to the late Ikemba of Nnewi and all the Biafra soldiers who died during the Nigeria Civil war of 1967- 1970.
The statement urged all pro-Biafra agitators to support the sit-at-home, describing it as part of civil disobedience which is necessary in the struggle for self rule.
“The sit-at-home is not for the interest of any particular group but for the interest of Biafrans. MASSOB and IPOB are urging all schools, markets, transporters and companies in Biafra land to support.
In a related development, the Customary Government of Indigenous People of Biafra (CG-IPOB) has announced a three-day golden jubilee celebration as a mark of respect and honour to gallant Biafra soldiers and civilians who sacrificed their precious lives while fighting for freedom.
He said Biafrans are directed to book masses in their various churches with praying for the repose of the souls of all those who sacrificed their lives fighting for the freedom of the indigenous people of Biafra that their sacrifices will not be in vain.
Mustapha blowing whistle on Abdusalam…NA Waoh!!
FORMER CSO OF LATE GEN. SANI ABACHA
Major Al-Mustapha (rtd) EXPOSES ex-Head of State, Lt-Gen. Abdulsalami (rtd) on “CORRUPTION” charges.
Call it, “Masu Gudu, Su Gudu !!”
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THIS ABOUT THE PEACE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, GEN ABDUSALAMI ABUBAKAR….Let’s see how corrupt he is:..PLEASE READ AND SHARE
“When General Abdulsalami came to power, he exhibited an accumulated and accentuated thirst for money. I stumbled on some documents and video cassettes even while in retirement.
“There was the case of $40 million contributed by multinationals for General Sani Abacha’s transmutation to civilian president. I gave the cassette of his disclosure to help him clean the system not knowing that he would use it to clean me out of the system because three days later I was arrested. I urge the commission to investigate this money contributed by multinational towards Abacha’s self-succession.
“There was also the case of Engineer Buba Galadima, Director of NMA whom General Abdulsalami Abubakar directed to release N5 billion from the NMA to the minister through Chief Hope Ozodinma. But Galadima refused saying it was beyond his power to do so. That same afternoon, a lorry load of soldiers invaded his house managed him and took him to an unknown destination. He was ordered to put in his letter of resignation so as to look as if he resigned voluntarily but he refused and asked General Abubakar to fire him. He was fired and he was given two hours to vacate his official quarters.
“The N5 billion was to be shared like this: “1.35 to be given to the minister, Chief Hope would be given N265 million and $18 million would be given to General Abubakar. I have documents to prove this (He than tendered the documents).
“There is the issue of the printing of new naira denominations, of 100, 200 and 500. I shared Mustapha’s opinions on this which he explained in his testimony that it was a booby trap for President Olusegun Obasanjo to fail. I have 13 documents to prove this which I shall tender, before this commission.
“When General Abacha was alive the idea of the printing of new naira denominations was mooted. Three companies bided for the contract – J.B. of Munich; Thomas & Co. Of London, and Bodous of Germany. They all submitted their quotations. They all agreed on $30 per one thousand pieces but General Abacha said it was too much. The agreement was not sealed before his death. When General Abdulsalami came on board, he said it should be printed at $45 per thousand. G & D was given the contract of printing and here was the company reputed for tax evasion. The company has offices in Germany, Greece, Spain, Belgium, Argentina and other places, but only has a liaison office in Nigeria. The company evaded tax to the tune of 2 million Dutch marks in Germany. This is the same company given the job to print the money I commenced investigations into the activities of this company but General Abubakar ordered me to stop it. All these were known to him.
“The NTA in its news at 7 and 9 p.m. on January 11, 2001 reported that a container load of fake naira notes was discovered in Jos and Maiduguri. This is what I am talking about.
“During Abdulsalami’s time, our soldiers in ECOMOG were not treated well at all. General Victor Malu then ECOMOG Commander once had cause to complain of adulterated fuel sent to them. When the contract for the supply of food to our soldiers was changed, it was given to one lady, I will mention her name later.
When General Abacha was alive 45 dollars was approved a day for each of our soldiers but when Gen. Abubakar came to power he increased it. But instead of giving them the money, they were given the old rate, where is the balance?
“There is the issue of parting gift to each PRC member. N1 million was agreed as parting gift for each PRC member or 500,000 dollars. I inquired from two PRC members later differently. I asked them jokingly that I learnt you were all given ½ a million dollars as parting gift. Where is my own share now? But they told me it was only 50,000 dollars. So what happened to the remaining 450,000 dollars per each PRC member times the total PRC members?
Before General Abacha died, he left a foreign reserve of 9.7 billion dollars. There are papers to show this. But Abubakar claimed that only 7.17 billion dollars was left in the reserve what happened to the balance? This reserve that Abacha accumulated in five years, Abdulsalami depleted if in nine months.
“Eagle Square here in Abuja was being renovated yearly when General Oseni was FCT Minister. Consultants were appointed for the renovation at N230 million. But General Abdulsalami rejected this and opted for upward review of N2.3 billion as against N230m.
“Also through 59 million dollars he siphoned from government coffers he bought a house in London at 5 million pounds renovated it at 1 million pounds.
“Before General Abacha died he approved 66 million Dutch marks for the maintenance of Alpha jets and other aircraft. When Abubakar took over he wrote another memo for the sum of 44,275,000 dollars for the same maintenance. I would have wished he was here to cross check if this signature on these documents were his.
“There was also another memo from the CGS dated March 17 1999 at the injury time of the administration. There was request for the purchase of boats at 45 million dollars, purchase of amphibious plane at 21,747,660 dollars; and 5,000 rain coats jacket to cost 14,500,00 dollars. The normal cost of one rain coat to pocket were from rain is 45 dollar per piece and the total cost for the 5,000 rain coats should be 2,9000 dollars. It was signed by General Abdulsalami Abubakar to be purchased on ECOMOG issue, apart from the naval personnel that used to transport the food items, it was later given to merchant ships.
“There is the issue of Engineer Ibrahim Ali, MD of NPA. General Abubakar called him one day and told him since General Abacha did not give you free hand to do your duties, bring your quotation and I will give you the wherewithal to execute it. He brought it to Abdulsalami. He met Alhaji Gidado Idris, former Secretary to the Federation there. Abdulsalami approved it for execution but when Ali left Abdulsalami ordered Gidado Idris to fire Ali when Gidado wanted to refuse, he told him that if he didn’t do it somebody else would do it and that was how he was fired.
Yet, when AbdusSalam Abubakar handed over power to President Obasanjo on 29 May 1999, only the of $ 200 m. was left as Nigeria’s foreign reserve. Let President Obasanjo speak in the name of GOD ALMIGHTY and for the sake of poor Nigerians and posterity.