Igbo elders distance themselves from Biafra declaring their support for a united Nigeria and call for restructuring

IGBO leaders from across southeast Nigeria formally declared their support for the restructuring of the country insisting that the process must be on the basis of fairness and equality but have reaffirmed their commitment to a united Nigeria and eschewed secession.

Over recent months, calls for the recreation of the defunct republic of Biafra have grown, with the Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob), leading calls for secession. Amid the growing political tension, Igbo leaders from the southeast geo-political zone, including its governors, National Assembly members and the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, met in Enugu to debate the issue.

At the end of their meeting, they restated the zone’s commitment to a united Nigeria but called for the restructuring of the country, stating that the process must be on the basis of fairness and equality. Although the meeting avoided mentioning any of the separatist groups, their resolutions may have foreclosed any possible support for the Nnamdi Kanu-led agitation for the break-up of Nigeria.

Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Rochas Okorocha of Imo, Willie Obiano of Anambra and Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, had earlier met at the Government House, Enugu, to harmonise their position before moving to the Nike Lake Resort, Enugu, for the enlarged stakeholders’ meeting. Apart from the governors, other notable persons that attended the meeting included deputy senate president Senator Ike Ekweremadu, former senate presidents Senators Adolphus Wabara and Ken Nnamani, the president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Chief Nnia Nwodo and his predecessor Enwo Igariwey.

Also, in attendance were former chief of general staff Admiral Ebitu Ukiwe, former inspector general of police Ogbonna Onovo and a former deputy inspector general of police Hillary Opara. Others there were deputy governors, state assembly speakers, religious leaders and traditional rulers from the zone.

However, political appointees from the southeast currently serving in the Buhari administration, especially the ministers, were conspicuously absent from the meeting and no reason was given for their absence. In a seven-point communiqué read by the chairman of the Southeast Governors’ Forum and Ebonyi State governor Dave Umahi, the Igbo leaders called on the federal government and all Nigerian leaders to immediately commence a process of dialogue on the modalities of restructuring the country within a reasonable time frame.
 

They also threw their weight behind the report of the 2014 National Conference and asked the federal government to set up structures that will enable its implementation within a reasonable time. In what appeared like a veiled reference to the quit order notice given to the Igbos resident in the northern part of the country by Arewa youths, the leaders condemned all forms of hate speeches and conduct coming from any part of the country.

They, however, disclosed that they were taking steps to ensure the safety of lives and property of Igbo people in all parts of Nigeria, just as they equally guaranteed the safety of lives and property of all Nigerians that are resident in the southeast. Senator Ekweremadu  also reminded those calling for the southeast to secede that the south-south had made it clear it would not be a part of the Biafra Republic.