From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has reacted angrily at the request by the leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the North, Augustine Amaechi, for restructuring in order to chart a new course for the people of the Southeast.
IPOB Spokesman, Emma Powerful, in a statement he made available to newsmen at the weekend, noted that what the zone needs is a referendum and not restructuring as proposed by Amaechi.
He insisted that there was no going back on the group’s demand for a referendum supervised by the United Nations.
The pro-Biafra agitators also claimed that it is in a better position to decide for Ndigbo rather than Ohanaeze, pointing out that it has over 90 per cent membership of people from the Southeast.
Powerful said: “IPOB members and supporters worldwide represent over 90 per cent of Biafrans. We have made it clear to the Nigeria government and the international community that Biafrans want a referendum to democratically decide to either remain in Nigeria or exit Nigeria.
“This is our only demand. We are not going back on our demand for a UN-supervised referendum in Nigeria for the determination of Biafra independence. Once the Nigeria government heeds our democratic demand for a Biafra referendum, Nigeria’s major problem will be solved”.
Taking a swipe at the Ohanaeze Northern leadership, he said: “The era of anyone with a red cap claiming to be an elder speaking for Ndigbo is over and gone for good; so Abuja politicians must take note and advise themselves properly.
“The treacherous activities of some Igbo political jobbers surrounded by their urchins have endangered Ala Igbo, our people, and the economic underpinnings of our culture.
“These individuals in Ohanaeze Ndigbo should stop their anti-people’s politics that have denigrated Ndigbo in Nigeria.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo group and every patriotic Biafran must understand that Biafra referendum and independence will end marginalization, nepotism, insecurities, and criminalities while ushering in fast development, rapid job creation for the jobless youths in a Biafra nation.
“The new nation of Biafra has all it takes in terms of resources, manpower and value system to take its place of pride amongst the committee of nations. A safe home for our people, particularly those runaway elders, who are eating new yam in Diaspora and for the Alkebulem (African) people.
“It’s unfortunate that Ohanaeze Ndigbo has refused to understand that the Fulani-controlled Federal Government of Nigeria will never accept to restructure Nigeria equitably.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo should wake up from their slumbering illusion and stop dragging us backward. If the restructuring demand that our eternal leader, Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu went to Aburi Ghana (Aburi Accord) to negotiate was reneged upon by Nigeria and Britain, what makes them think that it will work today?
“Instead of restructure, a genocidal war was lunched on Biafrans. On what moral grounds is Ohanaeze Ndigbo talking about restructure again? The One Nigerianists among Ohanaeze Ndigbo should not mortgage the heritage of future generations of Biafrans because of their economic and political interest in Nigeria today.
“When Biafra becomes an independent nation, their investment in Nigeria will also be protected. After all, Ndigbo’s investments in other nations are not at risk. Political freedom leads to economic freedom.”
Also advising the overall leadership of the apex Igbo socio-cultural group led by Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Powerful said: “This present Ohanaeze leadership must not toe the part of the past disreputable leadership of Ohanaeze.
“IPOB, as a deliberate policy, has refrained from confrontation with the Iwuanyanwu-led Ohanaeze to help us determine who they are working for.
“IPOB does not, has never and will never hesitate to confront head-on any person or group of people that will be used as agents of neo-colonialism to sabotage the freedom of the Biafran people.
“We will simply ask our ancestors to take care of such individuals or group and make them redundant and irrelevant. (Onye nwere nti ya nuru). Let him that has ears hear what the spirit says.
“We shall not warn Ohanaeze again. If … Augustine Amaechi is speaking for himself, Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership must make that clear publicly otherwise we shall take his ranting as the position of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and this will only mean that they, Ohanaeze has been mobilized by the enemies of our people to sabotage the present momentum and progress being made to hold the Republic of Nigeria accountable for the violent violations of Biafrans fundamental human rights, the crimes against humanity and genocide it is perpetrating against the Indigenous People of Biafra.”
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