INTRODUCING THE CUSTOMARY GOVERNMENT OF BIAFRA TO THE BIAFRANS AND TO ALL GOVERNMENTS IN THE WHOLE WORLD
For a long time the remnants of the Biafrans who were not consumed in the war have been agitating for self-determination by various non-violent ways with little success and often in confrontation with the Nigerian Government Authorities. In recent times it became necessary to anchor the Biafran struggle on the rule of law and diplomacy. Consequently, the Elders of Biafraland invoked their powers under Customary Law and authorized a human rights organization called Bilie Human Rights Initiative to file an action in Court on behalf of Biafra against the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Suit No FHC/OW/CS/192/2013 seeking to assert their right to self-determination. These Elders of Biafraland were constituted into a Governing Council under the Nigerian Customary Law known as the Supreme Council of Elders with power to organize, control and manage the affairs of the remnants of the Biafrans thereby establishing the Customary Government of Biafra under the Nigerian Legal System. The Executive Council of the Customary Government of Biafra under the Leadership of the Supreme Council of Elders is led by an Administrator- Engr Anthony Aniebue.
The legality of the Customary Government of Indigenous People of Biafra under the Nigerian Legal System is not in dispute. This is the Government that authorized the ongoing suit between Biafra and Nigeria in the Federal High Court. The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Attorney-General of the Federation as Defendants in the case and all their Lawyers know very well that the remnants of the Biafrans who were not consumed in the war have the right to govern themselves under their Customary Law just as the people of the North govern themselves under their Sharia Law. The legality of Customary Governance is never disputed by the Federal Government of Nigeria because it is lawful and has been in existence from time immemorial and preserved by the Nigerian Constitution as an existing rule of law in force before Nigeria and its Constitution were created.
From historical records and the documentary evidence produced in Court, there was a country called Biafra shown in the Ancient Map of Africa 1492 – 1843. The Biafrans are some of the Indigenous peoples of the lands where Nigeria exists today. This is why the Nigerian Constitution has always incorporated all the native laws and customs of the indigenous peoples of the land under customary law and sharia law as part of the Nigerian Legal System. It appears that the Northerners are wise in using the sharia law to govern themselves as a people within Nigeria.
The Biafrans have been recognized by the Nigerian Judiciary as a people living within Nigeria and seeking for their Independence. The case is too hot for Nigeria to handle as it is anchored both on the Nigerian Law guaranteeing the right to self-determination as well as on International law and the United Nations Charter. The suit was commenced in Nigeria to satisfy the requirement of international law that a people seeking for independence by legal method must start from their home jurisdiction and move on to the international court if denied justice in their home jurisdiction. The case shall be referred to the International Court of Justice in The Hague any moment from now as we have got sufficient evidence that the Nigerian Judiciary has denied us justice.
On the political front, the Customary Government of Biafra through her Solicitor, Barr Emeka Emekesiri, has drafted the Customary Government Bill to be passed into law by the Houses of Assembly in the East just as the Northern Houses of Assembly passed the Sharia Government Bill into law. As the Biafran struggle has now been anchored on the rule of law, we are hopeful that many Biafrans in the Houses of Assembly shall overcome their fears and become bold enough to pass the Customary Government Bill into law very soon.
Furthermore, to pursue the political approach to the restoration of Biafra, the Customary Government of Biafra has activated our political movement known as Movement of Biafrans in Nigeria (MOBIN) to give Biafran activists a platform to be part of political activities as we are still Nigerians by citizenship .
On the Diplomatic front, the Customary Government of Biafra has sent delegations to several Countries and organization including the United Nations and the African Union. The responses have always remained positive but the message has also remained the same, namely: if you want Biafra, go home and get your people organized under the authority of your Elders. A people seeking for independence must show themselves to be governable under a constituted authority to avoid anarchy and lawlessness. This is the De Facto Government that speaks for the Biafrans. Hence, it is important for all the village heads, town union leaders, church leaders, etc, to nominate and send their representatives to be part of the Customary Government of Biafra.
The northerners have organized themselves under the Sharia Government. The Westerners are also organized. We need to organize ourselves under a neutral system far from the control of Nigerian political manipulations. It is also important to note that the people of Biafra will fund the Customary Government activities through customary dues and donations until the Customary Government Bill is passed into law by the States. It is only when the Bill is passed into law by the States Houses of Assembly that the States can finance the Customary Government just as the Northern States finance their Sharia Government. At the moment, we rely on our customary method of fund raising just as in community development projects. Kindly contact our elders or the Administrator for any financial assistance.
In conclusion, we confirm that the United Nations has recognized the Customary Government of Biafra through the efforts of the human rights organization which is pushing the Biafran case in the UN. Every effort is being made to spread the message of freedom to our people. The Customary Government is bringing all the Biafrans under one umbrella for unity of purpose and synergy. The Elders and the Biafran Intelligentsia are now in control of the Biafran independence struggle. It is no longer in the hands of charlatans. The Customary Government intends to restore our sacred value system as a people side by side with our existing traditional institutions. For more information, please visit the Customary Government website at www.ipobgovernment.org and listen to BVI Chanel 1(www.bvichannel1.com).
Please spread the news and gather the remnants together under the Customary Government headed by the Supreme Council of Elders of Indigenous People of Biafra.
Anthony Aniebue
Administrator -Customary Government Of Biafra
08035002394