Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has joined the league of other prominent Igbo leaders to douse the tension of agitation for Biafra in South-East.

Chief Ekweremadu bared his mind in a keynote he delivered over the weekend at a stakeholders meeting comprising the five South-East governors, members of the National Assembly, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, religious leaders and other selected Igbo leaders of thought held at Nike Lake Resort, Enugu, on Saturday, 1st July 2017.

The lawmaker whose presentation, titled: “Biafra: The legal, political, economic and social questions,” reportedly set the tone for discussion at the meeting, said the renewed agitation for Biafra began shortly after the 2015 elections, following the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government’s policy of 97 and five percent.

According to him; "While the Igbo have every reason to be aggrieved and the right to ventilate their grievances, with a view to seeking equity and justice, through “democratic and non-violent means, we should also not allow our emotions to rule over our reasoning.

"As our people say, it will not be good to hear that the she-goat delivered in tether when elders are at home. Questions would eventually be asked. History would inquire if no elder was at home when the toad put to bed and the baby toad grew up a puffed creature because no one cared to stretch it’s hands or legs.

“There are two major opinions as to the way forward for Ndigbo at a trying time like this. We have mostly the younger generation, who believe they have had enough of the Nigerian union, which they have described in unprintable terms. The other is restructuring, which seems to appeal more to the older generation.

“Ndigbo also need to understand both the local and international political tides and sentiments to be able to make the right choices because the considerations for self-determination go beyond just the South-East.

“Already, extreme utterances and actions by some key elements in the agitation for Biafra are taking tolls on our goodwill, friendship, and the sympathy we enjoy. Insults hurled at religious and political leaders of other regions are not helping us, politically.

“South-East’s political future should therefore be put in context of its economic interest and survival. The Igbo have larger chunk of their investments outside the South East. Our people have invested heavily in every nook and cranny of Nigeria. They are into trading. Imagine a situation where a Republic of Biafra would have to depend on Nigerian passports to travel out.

“Importantly, as I mentioned earlier, we are not certain that the South-South will go with the Biafra idea. And in the event that they do not, what are our options for economic survival? Flowing from this, what guarantee do we have for international support if the main oil bearing region pulls out, knowing that no nation is a Santa Claus?

“Realistically speaking, is it possible that all Ndigbo living in the other parts of Nigeria, many of whom were born and bred outside Igbo land, and have been well assimilated by their host communities will return home? Many have never visited home and do not even speak Igbo language. Can we realistically expect those who have their investments in other parts of Nigeria to willingly abandon them and head home?

“Although international systems seek to guarantee the security of lives of peoples and their properties on either side of the divides, should there be a self-determination process that leads to the emergence of a new nation, such guarantees are not absolute and difficult to enforce, especially in a society such as ours.

“The quit notice and hate spewed by the Arewa youths to Ndigbo point to the fact that all is not well. And it calls for caution because the mother hen does not run without looking back to know the fate of her chicks,” Ekweremadu, added.

He stressed the need to set up a committee for a continuous engagement and moderation of IPOB, other pro-Biafra organisations and their leaders to avoid hate speeches and reckless statements that will make us lose our friends and sympathisers.

Source: http://www.abacityblog.com/2017/07/the-implication-of-biafran-nation.html

K

Lol, ekeremadu just dey speak parable...

In as much as I respect Ekwerenmadu, l think he should not tow that his line of thought so that IPOBians will not start seeing him as a sabotuar.

Where have then been since the common man in Igbo land has being marginalised?
If not the pressure from Nnamdi Kalu led IPOB would they ever have come together to talk about the Igbos and Biafra.? we have lost confidence in them, hence whatever they say is irrelevant.

We lost all during Biafra war and came back stronger and richer agaisnt all odds.so we will do better in Biafra.

For the Igbos living outside Igboland and do not speak Igbo should as well take citizenship of their host country. It will be visa free for them in Biafra.

The leader we know today Nnamdi Kalu. We have chosen our leader

Those who sold their souls to devil will forever live In despair.
For my Igbo brothers and sister in North forming Jackie Chan and Jet Li: ka Chineke mezie okwu.

Poor ewerndudu, your people no dey hear word so stop wasting your time, stick to looting and stealing.

This very generation of igbos represented by this man is the worst in igbo history.. I mean the utterly useless Ekweremadu, Rochas, Andy Ubah, Uzoh Kalo and co generation. The generation before them fought gallantly during the war. The generation after them is now fighting for freedom. On the contrary, Ekweremmadus stupid generation fought for no cause. They dined and wined with the worst igbo oppressors known in this country. As far as i am concerned, the Ekweremmadus of this world should just go and die. They should stop interjecting themselves in the renewed struggle for igbo emancipation. They have no valeu to add other than corruption, cowardice and stupidity. That useless generation of igbos should just go and die..

g

“Already, extreme utterances and actions by some key elements in the agitation for Biafra are taking tolls on our goodwill, friendship, and the sympathy we enjoy. Insults hurled at religious and political leaders of other regions are not helping us, politically."..... Some are too fragmented to understand this.

This animal is a fool

Bleating from his nose

So we should remain in the zoo and convert to Islam

They are killing our people in their villages while they sleep and the only thing this buffoon is thinking about is the toilet paper called naira

The zoo cannot provide for its animals and here this idiot says we should remain in the zoo

I can see Afonjas coming.

nototribalist:
I can see Afonjas coming.

we are already here

fvck those friends. Uwazurika printed fake passports rights, These passports are fake because Biafra is yet to exist, now how is it that Biafra will not be able to print and distribute passports as a sovereign country?

walemoney007:
we are already here

nice, did you drink your toilet broom soup hot or cold?

Out of all Igbo politicians, many Igbos have warm feelings for Ekweremadu and respect him.

But Biafra is still bigger than him. He should simply wait and see what Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB have planned.

He could become a politician in Biafra.

walemoney007:
we are already here

Nice, did you drink your toilet broom soup hot or cold?

Now the leaders are speaking!! It was a grave mistake allowing someone of the temperament and low level of understanding like Kanu to head such agitations and I always knew he would take out the wind of his sail by himself and true to his character he has done exactly that. My only pain is that he didn't do it sooner and now the northern youths are ready to unleash mayham. I just pray they hear these words from these true and enlightened leaders of the igbos and sheathe their swords.

if you read through this ekweremadus write up u understand where is going. I Concord to his article for the agitators to avoid insults during this srugle . I see his support for thus struggle and goodwill of the new country after emmagence even NK have realised this that makes him to stop the insult on Yoruba's and others is good to have good neighbours and not enemies #ISTANDWITHEKWEREMADU

I don't believe in this write up entirely coming from Ekweremadu. If it's true then it will be the beginning of some extra ordinary happening to his political career. He wants to betray the yearning of his people for a higher political office, it will backfire. Biafra all the way.

Wise words

EzeUche:
Out of all Igbo politicians, many Igbos have warm feelings for Ekweremadu and respect him.

But Biafra is still bigger than him. He should simply wait and see what Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB have planned.

He could become a politician in Biafra.

ekweremadu is in line with the article very well. but the insult have to stop because now because it have already served its purpose to draw attention . nnamdi KANU is not stupid when he had to startrd with insult early 2015 he has been talking without insult but Nigerian weren't hearing his voice so result to insult so he can beard and today he has been heard and the struggle have entered into the 3rd stage

A stewpid fellow who wants to continue to occupy the senate second seat and still be a stoking the secessionist nonsense. Did you just realize that the foool cownu was spewing hate and calling for violence? I blame APC by not putting you on the spot for being the hypocrite you are.

.....again the unity begging continues...

No IPOB member or supporter have been able to answer pertinent question asked by the Senate President;

“Importantly, as I mentioned earlier, we are not certain that the South-South will go with the Biafra idea. And in the event that they do not, what are our options for economic survival? Flowing from this, what guarantee do we have for international support if the main oil bearing region pulls out, knowing that no nation is a Santa Claus?

“Realistically speaking, is it possible that all Ndigbo living in the other parts of Nigeria, many of whom were born and bred outside Igbo land, and have been well assimilated by their host communities will return home? Many have never visited home and do not even speak Igbo language. Can we realistically expect those who have their investments in other parts of Nigeria to willingly abandon them and head home?

Are IPOB youths ready to sacrifice tens of millions of Igbo lives and trillions of naira of igbo owned properties in the North and South West for their Biafra? Most of these IPOB youths including their leader has little or no investments in other parts of Nigeria, most do not even have reasonable investments in the homestead. IPOB is like the proverbial Baby that was in dispute between two women in the Bible. IPOB believes the Baby should be cut in half because she would never feel the pain of loss, while the real mother prefers to give away the baby than lose her baby.

Ekwerenmadu and other Igbo groups are trying to preserve their lives and interests in the Nigerian baby.

“There are two major opinions as to the way forward for Ndigbo at a trying time like this. We have mostly the younger generation, who believe they have had enough of the Nigerian union, which they have described in unprintable terms. The other is restructuring, which seems to appeal more to the older generation.

Then we should put it to a vote / referendum.

It is wrong for older people to dictate to the younger one how to live in a fast paced changing world. Similarly, the younger one must not stampede the older ones.

A meeting point is the referendum. Let's put it to a vote!

Biafra or restructuring should be decided by vote, not some regurgitated panic buttons about properties and trading. These can always be negotiated by treaties. Nigerians are found in other countries so would Biafrans.

EazyMoh:
.....again the unity begging continues...

Deadline things on their mind

PointB:



Then we should put it to a vote / referendum.

It is wrong for older people to dictate to the younger one how to live in a fast paced changing world. Similarly, the younger one must not stampede the older ones.

A meeting point is the referendum. Let's put it to a vote!

Biafra or restructuring should be decided by vote, not some regurgitate about properties and trades deals. These can always be negotiated by treaties. Nigerians are found in other countries so would Biafrans.

I agree with you, lets put the issue to vote which is the most democratic norms globally.Also i agree with Ekwerenmadu that IPOB should stop the hate speeches and concentrate on their objectives.So far so good, IPOB has been non voilent and i hope they will keep it up.

wirinet:
No IPOB member or supporter have been able to answer pertinent question asked by the Senate President;



Are IPOB youths ready to sacrifice tens of millions of Igbo lives and trillions of naira of igbo owned properties in the North and South West for their Biafra? Most of these IPOB youths including their leader has little or no investments in other parts of Nigeria, most do not even have reasonable investments in the homestead. IPOB is like the proverbial Baby that was in dispute between two women in the Bible. IPOB believes the Baby should be cut in half because she would never feel the pain of loss, while the real mother prefers to give away the baby than lose her baby.

Ekwerenmadu and other Igbo groups are trying to preserve their lives and interests in the Nigerian baby.

There are far smaller countries without the resources (human and natural) that Biafra boast of. They are doing pretty well. Oil and natural resource is overated. With our without our kindred in South joining, Biafra will survive, Biafra will thrive! And we are not abandoning our investments in Nigeria, they must be protected by same laws that protects the Chinese, Lebanese etc investments in Nigeria. Any Biafran found in Nigeria after the secession, must respect Nigerian laws.

PointB:



There are far smaller countries without the resources (human and natural) that Biafra boast of. They are doing pretty well. Oil and natural resource is overated. With our without our kindred in South joining, Biafra will survive, Biafra will thrive! And we are not abandoning our investments in Nigeria, they must be protected by same laws that protects the Chinese, Lebanese etc investments in Nigeria. Any Biafran found in Nigeria after the secession, must respect Nigerian laws.

You guys think too highly of yourselves.

A nation can decide to severe ties with any other nation, nationalise any business within its confines and tax any business anyway it so desires.

T9ksy:



GBABE!!!..................or too "classically conditioned" to see beyond their nostrils.

Some folks are destined to be "suckers for punishment" as they have bluntly refused to learn a thing or two from their past misadventure.

Here they are again poised to re-enact the Nigerian civil war, part 2.

You have an idea of psychology.

reality1010:

I agree with you, lets put the issue to vote which is the most democratic norms globally.Also i agree with Ekwerenmadu that IPOB should stop the hate speeches and concentrate on their objectives.So far so good, IPOB has been non voilent and i hope they will keep it up.

The rhetorics must go side by side with whatever negotiation is happening in the background.

It's good cop / bad cop strategy. No option should be taken of the table.

When Moses was negotiating the exit of Israelite from Egypt, the 10 Plagues played prominent role. The last was the straw that broke the camel's back. Asking Kanu to stop what's working so far is to take a foot off the pedal. The threat of Chaos must be real and perceived to be real. Only then will Nigeria politicians act! Or why do you think everyone is talking Biafra now if not because a 'crazy man' is holding a lit matches close to huge kegs of gun powder?