Originally Published By Vanguard
We, the Igbo-Biafra Nationalists and the Indigenous People of Igbo Nation for Self-Determination, unequivocally reiterate that the Biafra of 1967-1970 is no longer viable for the purposes of self-determination. The socio-political landscape has drastically changed, and it is essential to acknowledge these transformations for those who are hard of hearing to finally move forward.
Our position is clear: mixing the South-East and the South-South/Niger Delta regions for the restoration of Biafra is fundamentally flawed and detrimental. Each former component nation must forge its own path, respecting the distinct historical and cultural identities that have evolved since the civil war. It is imperative that we, as a community, shed the remnants of colonial mentality that perpetuate the imposition of a singular Biafra ideology on reluctant and discontented partners.
We pose a critical question to our detractors, particularly those from the Igbo segment of Biafra: why is the Abonema annual celebration of the defeat of Biafra still ongoing? Why are Niger Deltans still declaring that they are not part of Biafra? And by the way, why was there no widespread observance of the Biafra Memorial Day on the 30th of May in the South-South region? The silence on this issue speaks volumes. We challenge you to either provide substantive answers or to acknowledge reality and cease further romanticization of a unified Biafra.
We urge the overzealous Igbo youth to seek answers from the Igbo elders who witnessed the war. These elders hold the keys to understanding the complex historical relationships between the Niger Delta Republic and the Biafra Republic. Questions about why the Niger Delta Republic was short-lived shortly before Biafra’s declaration, the unchallenged Nigerian invasion from the Niger Delta axis against Biafra, and the abandoned property saga need to be addressed. These issues highlight the profound and possibly irreconcilable differences that must be acknowledged for any meaningful progress.
Our ancestral homeland is firmly rooted in and remains the present South-East region. In making this pronouncement, however, we recognize that there are Igbo communities that were historically displaced and are now situated in the South-South and Middle Belt regions where they are relegated to minorities. For these communities, reintegration with their kin in the South-East should be pursued through a democratic process of referendum or plebiscite when the time is ripe. This approach ensures that any decision made reflects the genuine will of the people involved, fostering unity and mutual respect.
Finally, knowing what we know now, the restoration of Biafra of 1967-1970 is a historical relic that no longer serves our aspirations for self-determination due to the South-South’s reluctance to commit to the self-determination endeavor. Waiting for the South-South means that the Igbo youth will all die as a result of the delay tactics of the South-South. We must, therefore, confront the current realities and adopt strategies that respect the diverse identities and aspirations within our regions. Only through such pragmatic and respectful approaches can we hope to achieve meaningful and sustainable self-determination, whether it be internal, like state creation in the South-East, regional autonomy, or confederation, or external self-determination, which is outright secession or independence if willing and able to do so.
SIGNED:
EDOZIUNO CHUKWUNONSO
Spokesperson,
Igbo-Biafra Nationalists Movement and the Indigenous People of Igbo Nation for Self-determination
