Leaders of over 50 pro-Biafran groups have hinted of their plans to form an apex body to pursue the realisation of an independent state of Biafra.
They have also resolved to stand with the detained leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, until he is released from Kuje Prison, Abuja, by the Federal Government.
These were among the decisions reached by the pro-Biafra groups at an expanded meeting held at the weekend in Nnewi, Anambra State, to seek ways to harmonise their operations for better results.
The meeting was attended by pro-Biafran groups drawn from the South East and South-South geopolitical zones.
Among the groups were the Movement for the Actualisaton of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), the Customary Government of the Indigenous People of Biafra (CG-IPOB), Biafra Zionist Movement (BZM), Afra Descendants Movement (ADM), Eastern Veterans Social Welfare (EVSW), Bilie Human Rights Initiative (BHRI) and the Biafra Descendants Movement (BDM).
Others are: Radio Biafra, Biafran Central Council (BCC), Eastern Peoples’ Movement (EPM), the Movement of Biafrans in Nigeria (MOBIN), Ochie Igbo, Anang Front, Igbozurume, Biafra Liberation Council (BLC), Wakawaka Biafra, Anioma Biafra, Biafra Reporters and Biafra Voice International (BVI).
Also represented were the Bonny Indigenous Group, Biafra Women Leaders and Great Commonwealth of the Niger Delta among others.
The unity meeting was convened by the Supreme Council of Elders of the IPOB and was presided over by the Vice Chairman of the Elders’ Council of the IPOB, Dr. Dozie Ikedife.
In his address, Mr. Anthony Aniebue, an engineer, who is the Administrator of the Customary Government of the IPOB, said: “Today will mark a milestone. This is the third unity meeting we have had, and it’s here I learnt about the Customary Government. I accepted to serve because I believe in the rule of law, the political process, and the diplomatic process. Wherever we are coming from, let us know that the sole objective is Biafra. We are working for Biafra.”
Ikedife, in his address titled: “A Call for the End of Discordant Tunes, A Call for Synergy”, said: “There is a need for us to be united if really we are pursuing the legal legitimate entitlements of our people, right to self-determination, as supported by the United Nations Acts, the African Union, and even the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“Many individuals and groups have contributed great efforts in the pursuit of self-determination. It is hardly necessary to name names now. This is due to the efforts of people like Chief Ralph Uwazurike, Nnamdi Kanu, INC, IPOB, BHRI, MASSOB, BZM, Supreme Council of Elders, the media, and so many others, home and abroad”.
While acknowledging that all the groups were following what they felt was the right path because of the Republican nature of the average Biafran, Ikedife said that the time had come for “all to close ranks and stop the in-fighting”.
“Let the misunderstandings of yesterday be forgiven and forgotten. Anyone who kills his brother or sister cannot be declared a hero. Let us focus synergistically on our goal”.
Ikedife pronounced curses on those who have turned the Biafran struggle “into a money-making venture, saboteurs and others who deliberately oppose unity”, and poured blessings on those who have continued to sacrifice their resources for Biafra.
He informed the meeting that some of the leaders like Barrister Dike, Justice Eze Ozobu, and Gen. Joe Achuzia were unavoidably absent.
He ended his speech by stating: “It’s where God says we will be that we will be. See yourselves as agitators and no one is fighting for himself. Let’s unite and not scatter in the course of this Biafra. Let us stop insulting the other man; let us stop fighting the other man. There is room for Biafra. Do the one you know how to do. That’s the only way.”
The Shepherd of Afra Descendants Movement, Wari Alabo Kalada Jene, from the Ijaw Nation, told the agitators of how meetings he had with Nnamdi Kanu yielded results, claiming that Kanu sent apologies to the elders, especially Ikedife for insulting them.
Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Okike Abiama, IPOB/Radio Biafra representative, asked the Igbo to put their house in order, since the other nations are bent on breaking Ndigbo’s ranks.
“If you know where you lost your brother, go and find him. If you know where you wronged your brother, go and ask for forgiveness. There is no time again, let u sit up. In the presence of the Almighty God we are all equal. Let the past to go and face the future. It’s the future that matters to us now. Let today be the beginning when you will send a very strong signal to the coastal areas of Biafra. When you do, you will hear their response,” Abiama said.
Mr. Okechukwu Orji of the Eastern Peoples’ Congress, expressed support for the unity moves and told the audience that, “If a group has an internal problem, let them go there and solve it, and not come to public and fight. Don’t multiply groups”.
The leader of MASSOB, Mr. Uchenna Madu, told the agitators to shun the pursuit of personal interests and embrace that of collective responsibility.
The participants agreed that elders of the South-South and South East wings of the Biafra struggle should meet and invite all the parties to a meeting where the final resolutions will be reached.
Biafra is unrealistic, we won’t support it – France
Meanwhile, France, a former ally of Biafra during the 1967 secession bid, has declared that Biafra has no future and would therefore not support it.
The country’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Denys Gauer, disclosed the position of France on Biafra to newsmen. He said that his country would not work with any group demanding the dismemberment of Nigeria.
Gauer said that France was already working with Nigeria and therefore cannot turn its back on the Federal Government.
Commenting on France’s support for Biafra during Nigeria’s Civil War, Gauer noted that the country has evolved since the civil war.
But in reaction, MASSOB said the opinion of Gauer does not represent that of France and as such, would not be taken as the truth.
Source – The Authority
