BIAFRA NEWS : No double standards on Biafra’s independence, Uwazuruike tells UN

 

The arrowhead of the Biafra Independence Movement, BIM, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, has tasked the United Nations, to avoid playing double standards on the issue of Biafra independence.

Uwazuruike, who gave the advice via a press statement signed by his Director of Information and Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mazi Chris Anierobi Mocha, also maintained that “the struggle for independence from Nigeria, is still on course”.

His words: “This press statement is in commemoration of the 23rd year of the historic re-declaration of the New Biafra at Faulks Road, Aba, Abia State, on May 22, 2000.

“The 2023 Biafra Day celebration is in line with our non-violence principle towards the carving out of Biafra as a separate, and independent state, from Nigeria.

“According to world history, there was no revolutionary struggle, no matter how long it took, ever failed to achieve its goals and objectives.”

Uwazuruike admitted that starting a revolution, as he did 23 years ago, at Faulks Road, Aba, was “the most trying times and difficult decision anyone could take in his lifetime”.

He said: “I did it and carried the cross for the sake of the oppressed and marginalized people of Biafra.”
He listed some of the activities lined up for this year’s anniversary, including, bringing the attention of the Unrepresented Nations and People’s Organizations, UNPO, and other United Nations bodies, to the fact that Biafran’s struggle for independence from Nigeria was still on course.

While recalling that the United Nations had in recent years, accorded recognition to some nations in Europe with smaller populations, he tasked the world body to avoid playing double standard on the issue of Biafra.

He said: “Free Biafra from Nigeria, by doing the needful, according to your own laid down principles on self-determination.”
On why he chose May 22, every year as Biafra Day, as against May 30, Uwazuruike explained that what he re-declared at Aba on May 22nd, 2000 ( 23 years ago) was a New Biafra.

His words: “The name, New Biafra, was derived from the fact that the Biafra of today, is different from the Biafra of 1967.
“The Biafra of 1967, was characterized by violence, which led to the loss of about three million lives, while the New Biafra, which I started on September 13, 1999, and submitted the Bill of Rights to United Nations on November 1, 1999, was built on Non-violence and Non- exodus philosophy.

“Former Biafra, led by Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, was discontinued after about three years of war, 1967 -1970, while the New Biafra, is a continuation of the former, with a new method, new concept and new ideology.”

BIAFRA NEWS : Supreme Court must set Nnamdi Kanu free – IPOB

 

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has expressed hope that the Supreme Court would set its leader, Nnamdi Kanu free.

IPOB made the remark while stressing that Kanu did not commit any offence.

The group urged its followers to be circumspective in their movement ahead of Kanu’s trial.

Emma Powerful, the spokesman of IPOB, lamented that the group’s enemies alerted security agents to attack its members.

A statement by Powerful reads partly: “It’s very important that we advise Biafrans, particularly those of us in the South East, to be circumspective in their movement these days as the case of Onyendu at the Supreme Court of Nigeria is coming up.

“It’s obvious that our enemies have already alerted their Security and Criminal Agents, who have started attacking people and security forces in the East to blackmail IPOB and ESN so as to pollute the minds of the Supreme Court Judges handling Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case. We can assure all of them that their plans are dead on arrival.

“We, therefore, ask our people not to yield into the plans of our enemies but to remain calm, peaceful, and prayerful. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has not committed any crime known to local or international laws but is being held illegally in DSS solitary confinement because of ethnic profiling and prejudice. He must be set free by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”

BIAFRA NEWS : IPOB declares May 30 sit-at-home to honour fallen heroes

 

The Indigenous People of Biafra has declared May 30 as a day for sit-at-home in the South-East to honour its fallen heroes and those who died during the civil war.

The pro-Biafran group stated that the lockdown would be total as every economic, social, religious, and political activity in the region would be suspended with the exception of hospitals, doctors, nurses, ambulances, and other health workers.

We remember our eternal leader, Ikemba Nnewi Dikedioranma Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, General Philip Efiong, Dr Frank Opigo, Okonko Ndem, Col. Achzie, Bruce Mayrock, Christian aid workers, Biafra aid volunteers, and many others who contribution during the civil war.

“We remember IPOB members who were brutally murdered during peaceful protests and rallies, those murdered in Aba, Onitsha, Asaba, Igweocha, Enugu, Nkpor, Ebonyi in cold blood by the Nigeria Army at the resident of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu, in 2017.

“This year’s event will be special, and the one-day sit-at-home in Biafraland will be total and will be from 6am to 6pm on May 30, 2023. Every economic, social, religious, and political activity in Biafraland will be suspended, with the exception of hospitals, doctors, nurses, ambulances, and other health workers. All other people and workplaces are advised to sit at home.

“Also, Biafrans in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria are encouraged to join the sit-at-home order on that day;  it’s only one day. We, therefore, advise Biafrans and other residents in Biafra territory to avoid endangering their lives or their businesses by obeying the sit-at-home order from IPOB’s leadership.

“Wherever our people are or gathered on that day, they must pray with lit candles and must observe three minutes of silence immediately at 12 noon. Finally, the only joy and rest to appease our fallen heroes and heroines is Biafra restoration. So, ‘we must continue’.”

t stated this in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, on Monday, while calling on industries, companies, transport compa sea) hotels, schools, and churches to shut down in honour of its heroes and heroines.he statement read, “IPOB, ably led by the leader, Nnamdi Kanuo remind Biafrans, friends of Biafra, and lovers of Biafra freedom across the world that May 30 is sacrosanct a

BIAFRA NEWS : Nnamdi Kanu’s Biafra agitation constitutional, not illegal – Ozekhome

 

Activist lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome has said the self-determination struggle of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, is constitutional.

Ozekhome said Kanu’s self-determination campaign was backed by Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, African Charter of Human and People’s Rights, as well as Article 3 and 4 of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People of 2007.

Speaking during the Handshake Across The Niger 2 in Enugu State on Friday, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria stressed that Kanu’s agitation was not illegal.

He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to order Kanu’s immediate release.

According to Ozekhome: “For the information of those harbouring the thought that it was an illegality or unconstitutionality, his self-determination agitation, is in line with the Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948); African Charter of Human and People’s Rights, Article 3&4 of United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People (2007), among others. Nigeria is a signatory to all these statues.

“Please sir, on my bended knees, you can order the release of Nnamdi Kanu today.

“You can do it through the Attorney General of the Federation, who has the power to discontinue the case.”

BIAFRA NEWS : Biafra not dead, will be restored soon – IPOB replies Obasanjo

 

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has said Biafra would soon be restored because the agitation is not dead.

IPOB was reacting to a remark credited to former President Olusegun Obasanjo that Biafra was dead and buried on 13th January 1970.

The spokesman of the group, Emma Powerful, said no amount of blackmail or propaganda could stop the restoration of Biafra.

Stressing that Obasanjo acknowledged there was “Igbophobia” in Nigeria, IPOB asked which ethnic group has been subjugated, maltreated, deprived, discriminated against, profiled, hated, militarized, and their youths murdered like the Igbos.

A statement by Powerful reads: “The Indigenous People of Biafra under Nnamdi Kanu wish to remind the former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, that Biafra is not dead and was never buried but much alive and eventually the Sun shall rise to never set again.

“Obasanjo, as a special guest at Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s one-year celebration in office at the event in Awka, Anambra State, erroneously said he believed that Biafra died and was buried on 13th January 1970 during his comment at that occasion.

“We want Obasanjo to know that Biafra is not dead and definitely not buried. No amount of propaganda and blackmail against the IPOB movement will make us change our resolve to restore Biafra. We either restore Biafra or we die restoring Biafra.”

BIAFRA NEWS : How Nigerian Secret Police, DSS Sacked Medical Doctor Who Diagnosed Nnamdi Kanu's Deteriorating Health Condition

 

The lawyer revealed that a particular doctor with the DSS who first diagnosed the speedy depreciation in Kanu’s potassium level was sacked recently by the agency, for daring to make accurate findings. 

Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the lead counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has again emphasised that Kanu's health condition had deteriorated to the extent that he currently needs the “urgent service of a cardiologist.” 
The lawyer revealed that a particular doctor with the DSS who first diagnosed the speedy depreciation in Kanu’s potassium level was sacked recently by the agency, for daring to make accurate findings. 
Ejiofor, while giving an update on his routine visit to Kanu in the Department of State Services (DSS) custody in Abuja on Monday, in a statement said that Kanu lamented that his health had been made worse by trial-and-error medical experiment being carried out on him by other in-house unqualified doctors brought by the DSS.
Ejiofor stated that “The visit also provided us an opportunity to further find out Onyendu’s present health status.
“Onyendu, who looked visibly frail, once again narrated to me how his body has been turned into “trial and error experiment” by the quack in-house medical practitioners recruited by the DSS who ostensibly know next to nothing about Onyendu’s peculiar health condition.
“Onyendu was emphatic that he is in dire need of the service of a cardiologist for a comprehensive medical examination.
“Onyendu lamented that one particular doctor with the DSS who first diagnosed the speedy depreciation in his potassium level was sacked early last year by the vindictive agency, for daring to make such profound findings.
“It is on this note that we are calling on the Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately release Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from the custody of the DSS, in line with the unambiguous order of the Court of Appeal which discharged him and forbade his further detention.”  Why can't they obey court orders and let this mail go... and his brothers are not helping matters.They are busy fighting over his financial accounts.....Ekpo is busy doing zuzu in Finland,I pray he is deported then he would know that he can stand a day for which Mazi have withstand...the political and economic brouhaha have even made people to forget about Mazi.. this life no balance at all

BIAFRA NEWS : Peter Obi not destined to be President in 2023 – Ohanaeze Ndigbo

 

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly Worldwide, said the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi’s presidency is not destined to happen in 2023.

The group also applauded the victory of Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress as the winner and President-elect of the presidential election held on Saturday, February 25, 2023.

Ohanaeze also expressed confidence in Tinubu as a capable democrat who can continue the great feats of president Muhammadu Buhari, when he assumes office on 29th May, 2023. The statement read, “The group visualises the success of the APC flagbearer in the election contest as one that will lead to unifying Nigerians for a focused development plan that will follow. 

“Tinubu is capable, and we have no doubt in his capacity to ensure the continuity of the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari, which are apparent, indisputably correct and will continue to stand as good legacies for generations of leaders to come.

“The Ohanaeze Ndigbo congratulates Peter Obi for creating an unprecedented commitment to changing the status quo with a hitherto unpopular political party, making great sweeps of votes across all regions but North West of Nigeria to finish an “unputdownable” third position.”

Speaking on Obi’s hardwork and fate at the  presidential poll, it said, “This Igbo umbrella body will continue to remember Obi, former Governor of Anambra State, as one who, despite all odds, laboured hard to actualise a Nigerian President from the Igboland. However, God has not destined it to happen in 2023. It may happen later. God spares the life of everybody.”

“It would not be out of place to also congratulate the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ‘s presidential candidate, His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar GCON, on his effort that ended in second position. Across the top three political parties were Igbo sons and daughters, who made the frantic effort because, as APC, PDP and LP, there are Igbo people who notably campaigned and voted.“However, the bloc votes for Peter Obi in the South East should not be seen by anyone as anti-other Nigerians. It is more to show that the Igbo do not hate themselves, as some Nigerians say. 

“In all, the general performances of the candidates across parties have given this group the confidence to agree that the emergence of one of them, who is Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as President-elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is well deserved and we say congratulations!

“We also want to seize this opportunity to call on some elements in Lagos State, who see the vote for Labour Party’s Peter Obi as hate by Igbo people and who are, therefore, now threatening the lives of Igbo. It should not be so. From the investigations by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly Worldwide, the vote in Lagos was not solely an Igbo thing but a decisive voting system by a rainbow movement of people from across the tribes, who live and do business in Lagos State. 

“It should be seen more as Nigerians across tribes exercising their franchise to freely vote to choose their leaders in a democracy as enshrined and guaranteed in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

“Those who are circulating videos, threatening and drumming the sounds of war over the coming governorship and House of Assembly elections of March 11, 2023, in Lagos State because of Igbo people, should stop it in the national interest of Nigeria and the collective good of the masses of the Nigerian people.

“We would not end this press statement without having to extol the grand performance of President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, the General Lucky Irabor-led Nigerian Armed Forces, the IGP Usman Alkali Baba-led Nigeria Police Force and the Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi-led Department of State Service (DSS) as well as the leadership of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for their neutrality that brought whatever challenges emanating from the recent voting exercise to the barest minimum.

“The Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly Worldwide, therefore, calls on the President, the security forces and security/intelligence agencies to improve on the performances of the last election to make the governorship and national assembly elections of March 11 more commendable.”