BIAFRA : Nnamdi Kanu, Referendum permanent solution to Nigeria’s Multi-dimensional woes

 

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has said that only a referendum can solve the multi-dimensional woes of Nigeria.

Kanu in a statement issued on his behalf by the Publicity Secretary of the group, Comrade Emma Powerful said that it is ironic that Nigeria is still remembering the genocidal war of 1967- 1970; a war the group claimed was planned to annihilate the people of the Old Eastern region.

Kanu in the statement claimed that one of the major reasons the memories of that war cannot be easily erased from the minds of Biafrans is “that today the oppressors have continued to repeat the same actions they visited on us with more impunity.

“Instead of treating Biafrans as equal stakeholders in the affairs of the country they have continued to subjugate and hunt down our people with the help collaborators in government houses in the east and Igbo professional traitors based in Abuja & Lagos.

“IPOB family members and other Biafran agitators have remained daily targets of the oppressor and their security agencies who see the South as a conquered territory and its indigenous inhabitants ripe for elimination at all cost.

“The question every rational being must as is this; why is Nigeria living in self-denial? Despite repeated warnings, sometimes from those who previously worked against Biafra, that Nigeria is fast traveling on the same highway that led to the war in 1967, those at the helm of leadership in the Zoo that laughably refer to themselves as the ‘elites’ have chosen to play the ostrich.

“Instead of playing to the gallery with warm words and empty promises, the time has come for these mischievous political hoodlums masquerading as elites in Nigeria to courageously do the needful and permanently address the root cause of the ever growing agitations across the Luggardian contraption.

“There is only one universally acknowledged solution to the problems bedeviling One Nigeria, it is called Referendum.

“This will enable and more importantly give the various ethnic nationalities forcibly clamped together into the undesirable British engineered colonial cage, the choice to decide whether or not they wish to continue their miserable coexistence or not.

“I understand the fear and apprehension of ethnic groups in Arewa core North living under Fulani hegemonic bondage. We would like to reassure them that Biafra won’t abandon them.

“The Biafra project is designed to set every oppressed group within Nigeria free, not just the long suffering people of the East.

“A referendum or plebiscite remains the best tool to determine the fate of the masses not the dictates of half-educated semi-literate corrupt nonentities in Abuja.

“This is 51 years after Harold Wilson’s failed attempt to wipe out the entire Igbo Biafran race from the face of the earth.

“The Fulani agents of neo-colonialism he used have now perfected the same art of using compromised individuals in the East to frustrate our march towards freedom for all.

“They cannot succeed because the people they have been deceiving over the years are now smarter.

“We agree with most of the germane issues raised at the webinar conference organized yesterday by Nzuko Umunna which further exposed some of the atrocities committed against Biafrans in the genocidal war 51 years ago. This was purely to let them know that we have not forgotten what they did to our fathers and mothers between 1966 and 1970.

“From the sensible contributions of eminent Nigerians in that gathering, it’s now obvious to the Fulani ruling cabal running the country that no one is happy with what is happening.

“Those frank observations emanated from the few prominent and respected Nigerians including politicians and religious leaders. This is a reminder to those thinking that they have pocketed Nigeria to stop living in self-delusion.

“The youths of Nigeria are rising to rescue the country from those who have taken it hostage. Biafra will soon bid farewell to the contraption and no force can stop this divine movement.

“IPOB is perfecting arrangement to ensure that Biafra is restored without another war but if our oppressors refuse to heed our calls for referendum, then they will later realize that IPOB is determined to pay whatever sacrifice to free our people from this bondage.”

BIAFRA : Why we can’t recognise Obiozor as Ohanaeze President, by IPOB

 

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu has declared the organisation cannot work with the newly appointed President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prof. George Obiozor, because he was allegedly imposed on the Igbo socio-cultural body by the Fulani cabal.

Kanu, who spoke in a statement by the IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, alleged a powerful presidential aide and Miyetti Allah were instrumental to the emergence of Obiozor as Ohaneze President General.

According to him, IPOB closely monitored the jamboree election that produced Obiozor as the new Ohanaeze helmsman, critically analysed the antecedents of those behind his emergence and came to the conclusion “we cannot in all honesty work with him because we are not ideologically compatible.

“Obiozor may not be entirely evil but those behind him are unrepentant enemies of Biafra. Naturally, he can only do the bidding of his sponsors, thus sacrificing Igbo Biafra interest at the altar of few self-centered political desperados.

“IPOB cannot work with a man we know will be remote-controlled by a Fulani terrorist group in the shape of Miyetti Allah and by extension the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

He also said that IPOB cannot work with people currently clamouring for a President of Igbo extraction in 2023 because “we know their real motives. None of the traitors on parade have Igbo Biafra’s interest at heart. They are only after their personal gains going by their antecedents.

“It’s still fresh on our minds what transpired at Jos PDP convention when the late Dr Alex Ekwueme contested for the candidature of the President of Nigeria under PDP in 1999.

“Then the likes of Jim Nwobodo, Orji Uzo Kalu and virtually every other Igbo delegate at that convention voted against him. These Igbo men sabotaged Igbo presidency then, what has changed since 1999 that will make them come out now to shamefully clamour for the same Igbo presidency they publicly rejected in 1999.”

BIAFRA : 10 facts about Nigeria’s Civil War you should know

Here are ten facts you should know about the civil war.

1. The Nigerian civil war otherwise known as Biafra war was fought from 1967 to 1970 and between the forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the forces of Biafra which seceded from Nigeria.
2. General Yakubu Gowon was Nigeria’s Head of State as of that time while the late Lt. Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu was the leader of Biafra after serving as the military governor of the Eastern Region of Nigeria in 1966.
3. The civil war resulted from ethnic, economic, religious and political tensions which forced the Igbo ethnic group, a majority tribe in the Eastern Region, to announce secession from Nigeria.
4. An anti-Igbo pogrom in Northern Nigeria was followed by a military coup and a counter military coup leading to the secession of the Eastern Region.
5. The war began on July 6, 1967, with the Nigerian forces advancing to reclaim the Eastern Region which by then was already identifying itself as Biafra.
6. The Biafran forces also launched an offensive against Nigeria but were stopped at Ore in Ondo State where they suffered a major loss.
7. The foreign players in the civil war included China, the then Soviet Union, Israel, France, Egypt, Canada, and the United States.
8. Biafra surrendered on January 15, 1970, and was reintegrated into the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
9. After the war ended, General Gowon described it as one with “no victor and no vanquished”, a rhetorical statement aimed at healing wounds.
10. The region which was identified as the Eastern Region of Nigeria before becoming Biafra has since been split into two – the South-East and the South-South.
11.  Armed Forces Remembrance Day is a day set aside for the country’s fallen heroes, it is appropriate to take a brief look into the civil war which was one of the trying times in the country’s history.

Michael Owen predicts Liverpool vs Man United, Arsenal vs Newcastle, Fulham vs Chelsea, others

 Former Premier League and La Liga striker, Michael Owen, has predicted some of the English Premier League Match-day 19 fixtures.

Liverpool will host Manchester United on Sunday evening at Anfield, while Chelsea will tackle Fulham on Saturday evening.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal will face Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium.

Sheffield United will host Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon.

Providing his predictions, Owen told BetVictor: “Well, this is certainly a Super Sunday! Manchester United travel to Anfield one place above their old rivals in the top spot. It’s been some turnaround for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men and a win here would certainly cement their place in the title race.

“Liverpool’s mighty home record stands at 67 games unbeaten in the Premier League and Jurgen Klopp will be trying to treat this one as just another game in their quest for back to back Premier League titles.

“However, everyone involved at the club, especially the fans, will be hoping upon hope that when the time comes for that record run to an end, it won’t be at the hands of United.

“Personally, I do not see that run ending here although I do think it will be tight.

“Both teams love to play counter-attacking football, so I think this one could be a case of cat and mouse. I think both sides are likely to give up some territory so they can execute their counters attacks and if this materialises, I reckon we could be in for a stalemate at Anfield. Liverpool 0, Man United 0.”

Commenting on the Fulham vs Chelsea game, Owen said, “Incredibly, Fulham have drawn their last 5 Premier League matches. Their late equaliser against Tottenham showed there’s no question about the fight in their side which is essential when you’re down at the bottom.

“Chelsea was pulled apart in their last league match at home to Manchester City. It was a Christmas period to forget for Frank Lampard’s men, and they’ll want to get back to winning ways in their first away match of 2021.

“Although Fulham has been playing well, I just think Chelsea will have too much going forward, and with that in mind, I can see them nicking it by the odd goal. Fulham 1, Chelsea 2.”

On the Arsenal vs Newcastle United clash, Owen said, “These two were neck and neck for 90 minutes in last week’s FA Cup 3rd round match. They reoppose again here in the Premier League with both sides dropping points in their midweek matches.

“Pressure is mounting on Steve Bruce. Their defeat away to Sheffield United did not go down well with the Magpies faithful, and they will be demanding a response here.

“Despite Arsenal drawing at home midweek, the vibes around the Emirates are still positive. They are certainly playing with more confidence than they were showing a few weeks ago. I think this one could be tight again, but with spirits so low at Newcastle just now, I can only see one winner. Arsenal 2, Newcastle United 0.”

Speaking on the Sheffield United vs Tottenham Hotspur match, Owen said, “Spurs can’t seem to finish sides off just now. It’s a bad habit to get into and one you wouldn’t expect from a Jose Mourinho side.

“Sheffield United fans will have shared a collective huge sigh of relief after getting their long-awaited first win of the season against Newcastle. It will be interesting to see how they go from here. The Blades were excellent last season, and if they can play anywhere near that level for the rest of their campaign, it could get very interesting down at the bottom.

“That said, Spurs really should be winning this. I think playing away from home suits them better, and if Sheffield United decide to have a go, I could see Messrs Son and Kane pouncing on the counter. Sheffield 1, Tottenham 2.”

Liverpool vs Man United is 5: 30 pm, Arsenal vs Newcastle is 9 pm, while that of Fulham vs Chelsea is 6:30 pm and Sheffield vs Tottenham is 3 pm.

Liverpool vs Man United, Klopp’s team news for EPL clash confirmed

 

Liverpool boss, Jurgen Klopp, has provided the latest team news ahead of his side’s Premier League clash with Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday evening.

Klopp said that Liverpool would have to assess the fitness of Joel Matip before determining whether the defender can be involved for the Reds against Man United.

The former Dortmund coach also provided the latest update on captain, Jordan Henderson.

Klopp told his pre-match press conference on Friday: “Joel is close. Does it now make sense to throw him into a game with one or two sessions, which he did not do yet, but today and tomorrow he might be involved?

“To bring him [in], I don’t know. We have to see, we have to decide, we have to look at him and how he will train, how he looks in training and these kinds of things, but we still have different solutions.

“Hendo is very important in midfield for us as well, so we just have to see. It is not decided yet, why should I?”

The kick-off time for Liverpool vs Man United match is 5:30 pm, Nigerian time.

Armed Forces Day, Oby Ezekwesili reveals why pigeons refused to fly, mocks Buhari

 

Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, a former Minister of Aviation has mocked the government of President Muhammadu Buhari after the Armed Forces Remembrance Day pigeons refused to fly on Friday.

The pigeons often used to mark the day in the history of the event, on Friday refused to fly even after they were nudged and their cage opened.

The incident has since sent Nigerians speculating, as some attributed the birds’ behaviour to bad luck and the absence of peace and unity in the country.

In her reaction, Ezekwesili tweeted, “The pigeons will at least not be attacked for their effective civic disobedience.

“They will also not be told by scoundrels of patriotism to relocate just because they pointed out evident facts of Bad Governance in their country. Thank God for small mercies.”

Fani-Kayode mocks Buhari as pigeons refuse to fly during Armed Forces Remembrance day

 

Femi Fani-Kayode, former Aviation Minister, has mocked President 

Muhammadu Buhari over an incident with pigeons during the Armed Forces Remembrance Day ceremony on Friday.

As a sign of peace, the president usually releases some white pigeons from a cage and immediately they fly away.

But, this year, the birds refused flying on Friday with most of them sticking to the cage.

The incident was greeted with mixed reactions with many Nigerians, attributing the birds’ behaviour to bad luck and the absence of peace and unity in the country.

Reacting to the incident, Fani-Kayode, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, described the incident as bad luck.

Sharing a video of the incident, the former minister wrote on his Twitter handle: “When the white doves of peace refuse to fly and when the white pigeons of the Villa fail to leave their cage it is an ominous sign and a bad omen.

“Buhari beware the ides of March.

“Even the pigeons refused to fly! What type of bad luck does this man have?”