A Biafra civil war veteran, Prof. Okoro Akpa, has called on Igbo leaders to remember the horrors of Nigeria-Biafra civil war by providing leadership direction to Ndigbo in face of the current Biafra agitations and militarization of the zone.
Akpa said this in Enugu while reacting to the military operations in the South East.
He pleaded to Igbo leaders to act quickly and wisely.
“It is important that our leaders, the traditional rulers in all communities in Igboland, our Governors, Senators, members of the House of Representatives and all other political offices holders come out boldly and cautiously decide on the way forward.”
“I commend the South East governors for proscribing the activities of IPOB but that is not enough. I will advice Nnamdi Kanu and his IPOB members to tarry a little while to avoid causing war where innocent and armless easterners will start losing their lives for no just cause,” he said.
He also pleaded with those bent on continuing with the agitation for Biafra to remember the horrors of war, advising them to exercise restraints and tow the part of peace.
“I want us to reflect on the ravages caused during the Nigerian-Biafran war when millions of Biafrans were killed. Let us reflect on the reason for the war and how the war ended.”
“Let us recalled that at a certain stage during the war, Ojukwu left us for Ivory Coast and those of us in the battle field didn’t know what transpired but we were full of expectations and when he came back, the music changed.”
“He never talked of Biafra again. I wish to state that at other time I was personally invited to attend a political rally organized by APGA at the Presidential Hotel, Enugu.
“In that rally, Dim Emeka Ojukwu was campaigning to be elected as the president of Nigeria.”
Akpa advised Igbo elites to “Pressurise the Federal Government towards restructuring where the Southeast will at all times have adequate democratic dividends like other zones.”
“This is because the Ndigbo are more Nigerian than any other group in this country. By our nature, we are in every corners of this country. Wherever they go, they sojourn and develop the place.
“For me, I am no more agitating for Biafra. I am pursuing Ojukwu’s agenda for an Igbo man to become president of Nigeria. This is my own submission.”
