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From David Onwuchekwa, Nnewi
Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council of Elders of the Indigenous People of Biafra (SCEIPOB), Dr. Dozie Ikedife, has warned against warmongering.
He spoke against the backdrop of a recent quit notice to Igbo living in the North by a coalition of Arewa youths.
Ikedife, in Nnewi, Anambra State, at the weekend, said SCEIPOB had never and will never subscribe to war on this matter.
He explained that it was the reason the group went to court with the Federal Government to determine whether those in the suit as plaintiffs had the right to self-determination or not, as well as whether they had the right to call themselves Biafrans.
The elder statesman, however, recalled that the last war in Nigeria whether called Nigeri-Biafra war or civil war fought between 1967 and 1970 was not started by the people of Eastern Region or Biafran land.
They never declared war, but war was declared against them to keep Nigeria one as the slogan goes that the task to keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done.
“So, people must get the history correct. Now, we have never and will never subscribe to armed conflict or engage either with gadgets or with knives or with guns or any weapon.
“We do not think or we do not agree that it is necessary to lose one more life again to achieve restructuring, self-determination or separation.
“If it is the desire of the generality of the population, so be it, but it must be done bloodlessly.”
“Ikedife noted that there is a legal channel, diplomatic channel, dialogue and so many other options other than war, adding that even if you start waring, you would eventually go to a round table discussion.
“So, war is not necessary, diplomatic moves is necessary, legal processes are necessary. Even war of words is not necessary. That is the position.”
The SCEIPOB leader, who wondered why some people always talked about war as an option said the war issue to him was a theoretical consideration and insisted that whoever talked about war should consider war and its consequences, since it was not going to be helpful to anybody, both aggressors and recipients of the aggression.
Ikedife said those who talked about war had never seen war live except in films, noted it was only people who had not seen war and its damaging effects that would talk about it.
“Please, stop talking about physical engagement, talk about negotiation, discussion dialogue and other options outside war.
“If you like call it restructuring. But this word “restructuring” has to be defined. What in fact is restructuring.
“What are we restructuring? If you do physical restructuring, constitution restructuring, yes, it will assuage the protest, the agitation and the demand for alternative government…”
