Igbo-Biafra Nationalists
One thing our people fail to understand is that self-determination is divided into two: internal self-determination (political participation in pursuance of things like equitable representation, devolution, regionalism/autonomy/confederacy); or external self-determination (outright independence)which can be achieved by mutual agreement with the parent state) or dissolution or association or remedial secession or war but the success of it depends on RECOGNITION by the rest of the members of the United Nations or the international community.
For secession to succeed, there must be a justification evidencing denial of internal self-determination, discrimination, systematic human rights violations, and oppression by the parent state. Those seeking independence must also fulfill the requirements of the Montevideo criteria on rights and duties of state which are: defined territory, permanent population, effective government and the capacity to entire into international relations with other countries.
For Biafra self-determination determination, it is impossible in our own case if all the other component nations are unwilling because if they are not ,then there is no defined territory, and no permanent population (this where Biafra agitators are myopic but I keep hammering on this, nobody listens). Also, we must meet the definition of “people” united in common destiny of expression of the desire for self-determination. If there is disagreement or non-co-operation, then it will not work. That is where we are today because of all the former nations of Biafra, only the Igbo nation is willing and Nigeria is capitalising on the unwillingness of these “unwilling partners” to slow Biafra Restoration project down. So, for me, the solution is for the Igbo Biafrans, Ijaw Biafra, Ibibio, Anang, Efik Biafrans etc to go about their quest for their self-determination determination seeking their own political statuses, economic and social developments in their own rights and at their own paces. If when they are ready, then let there be an alliance of the willing, not the alliance of the unwilling and grumpy and grumbling partners.
Still on justification for remedial secession, the seceding entity must prove that the parent state has prevented them from pursuing internal self-determination, underrepresented, or excluded them in the governance of her affairs. They must also prove that they have been oppressed and marginalized and their human rights flagrantly violated, and there is no future prospect of resolution or rectification of the anomaly. Of all, the Igbo Nation can tick virtually all the boxes. All these must be carried out through both legal and political processes. In doing these, the legitimate right to self-defence is not excluded where necessary.
There are other parts to explain later.
***Those who claim that they have nothing to do with politics in pursuit of self-determination are either not informed or on self-delusion because you must have to engage even with that enemy because the parent state is Nigeria from where our people want to secede. In engaging in politics, our people must also choose their political aspirations and fight carefully. For me, Igbo Biafra territorial politics is where to start. The South East legislators and the governors must legislate on the political future of Ndi-Igbo/Ndigbo and then negotiate it with Nigeria or without Nigeria on the continued deliberate state policy of the structural discrimination or imbalance in short-changing on the number of states and local government councils that have put Igbos of the South East to permanent minority leading to underrepresentation, and marginalization in allocation of resources and appointments when compared to other regions. The Igbo Biafrans must hold the political office holders in Alaigbo to account to deliver on the dividends of democracy and push for justice for the entire South East Region or be turned against.
The Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo petition to oputa panel must be revived. If nothing is done in correcting these injustices, then, Nigeria has no justification to lay claim to the inviolability of her territorial integrity or sovereignty having deliberately decided as matter of policy to exclude and hold down the South East Region.
By Uche Mefor
22 May 2023
