BIAFRA: Elders, youths sing different tunes

The quest for a sovereign state of Biafra by the South-East region of Nigeria may soon see the youths and elders of the region heading for a clash.

While the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, mostly made up of elders of the region prefer to remain in a restructured Nigeria, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) which is majorly of the younger generation have insisted that there should be an independent state of Biafra.

The Ohanaeze in a statement on Monday, by its National Deputy Publicity Secretary, Chuks Ibegbu, stated that a physical Biafra at this point in time is not plausible, adding, that even a referendum to that effect is also not a “tea party”

However, the IPOB in a counter statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, lambasted the elders and leaders of the region for accepting what it termed “crumbs from the master’s table”.

The group which has been in the forefront of agitations for a Biafra state, called on the Ohanaeze to go ahead with its restructuring clamour while it (IPOB) will continue with the struggle for Biafra independence, adding that the people will ultimately decide what they want between a restructured Nigeria, and an independent state.

Ohanaeze in its statement noted, that “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.”

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But IPOB insisted on its position, saying, that “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.”

 

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