The Coalition of Northern Youths have written a letter to the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, begging him to allow Ndigbo to go and have their Biafra Republic.

In the letter signed by Ambassador Shettima Yerima, Joshua Viashman, Aminu Adam, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman and Nastura Ashir Sharif, the Northern group argued that the principle of self-determination has since world war II become a part of the United Nations Charter, which states in Article 1(2) that one of the purposes of the UN is “to develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples”.

They said: “Though we do not doubt Your Excellency’s bona fide concerns for the peaceful resolution of the crises, we nevertheless have reservations as to the efficacy of this approach in ensuring lasting solutions.

“Our doubts are informed by the following historical antecedents that have characterized the behavior and conduct of the Igbo in Nigeria and previous efforts at containing them.

“The Igbo of Eastern Nigeria manifested their hatred for Nigeria’s unity barely five years after we gained our independence from the British when on January 15, 1966, their army officers carried out the first-ever mutiny that marked the beginning of a series of crisis which has profoundly altered the course of Nigeria’s history.

“By that ill motivated cowardly and deliberate action, the Igbo killed many northern officers from the rank of lieutenant colonel upwards and also decapitated the Prime Minister and the political leadership of the Northern and Western regions but left the zenith of Igbo leadership at the Federal level and the Eastern region intact. “In line with the Igbo plan, General Aguiyi-Ironsi took advantage of the vacuum and, instead of returning power to the remnants of the First Republic government, he appropriated the coup and attempted to consolidate it for his people.

“Army officers of the Northern Region were eventually compelled to execute a counter coup on July 29, 1966 following a coordinated series of brazen provocations from the Igbo who taunting northerners on northern streets by mocking the way leaders of the region were slain by the Igbo. This unfortunately resulted in mob action which resulted in the death of many Igbos.

“And when Lt. Col. Yakubu Gowon, from the North took over as Head of State following the counter coup, the Igbo through Lt. Col. Ojukwu, characteristically refused to recognize Gowon.

Ojukwu declared the secession of the Igbo people from Nigeria and the formation of the republic of Biafra on May 30, 1967 resulting in a civil war that led to the tragic deaths of more than 2 million Nigerians”.

“Concerned by the fact that the Biafrans have confessed to arming themselves for a violent breakup, we feel that it is risky for the rest of the country particularly the North to go on pretending that it is safe for us to co habitate with the Igbos given how deeply they are entrenched in our societies .

“And since evidently the Igbo have not been sufficiently humbled by their self imposed bloody civil violence of 1966, we are strongly concerned that nothing short of granting their Biafran dream will suffice. “And since the Igbo have virtually infiltrated every nook and cranny of Northern Nigeria where they have been received with open arms as fellow compatriots, we strongly believe that the region is no longer safe and secure in the light of the unfolding threats and the fact that for a long time, the Igbo have gone to extra ordinary lengths to ensure that in their domain in the South East, Northerners and Westerners are as much as possible disenfranchised from owning any businesses whereas in Kano alone, they own not less than 100, 000 shops across all the business districts.

“That since the younger generation of Nigerians makes up for more than 60 per cent of the nation’s population, it is our hope that they inherit this country in better shape so that they can build a much better future for themselves and their offsprings in an atmosphere that is devoid of anarchy, hate, suspicion and negativity that characterize the polarized, and clearly irreconcilable differences forced on us by the Biafran Igbos”.

“As the Igbo agitations persist and assume threatening dimensions, we submit that there is need to ensure that they are given the opportunity to exercise the right to self-determination as entrenched under the aforementioned international statutes to which Nigeria is a signatory. “Aware that the right of self-determination in international law is the legal right for a “people” that allows them to attain a certain degree of autonomy from a sovereign state through a legitimate political process, we strongly demand for a referendum to take place in a politically sane atmosphere where all parties will have a democratic voice over their future and the future of the nation.

“The Igbo from all over the country and in the Diaspora should be advised to converge in their region in the South-East for a plesbisite to be organized and conducted by the United Nations and other regional bodies for them to categorically to decide between remaining part of Nigeria or having their separate country. “That government should at the end of the plesbite implement whatever is agreed and resolved in order to finally put this matter to rest.

“Lastly, we pray His Excellency to study the references forwarded with this letter dispassionately and decide who is more in the wrong between those who openly pledge allegiance to a country other than Nigeria backing it up with persistent threats of war and those of us whose allegiance remains with the Nigerian state but simply urge that the secessionists be allowed to actualize their dream peacefully throw universally entrenched democratic options”.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/06/northern-youths-write-osinbajo-beg-allow-igbo-go-biafra/
www.nairaland.com/attachments/5520322_agpresidentosinbajomeetswithnorthernleaders8_jpeg4c9c76fa80062db299dfd53ac75565ed

The Egyptians we see today we shall see them no more..

1. To all Igbos clamouring for Biafra, have you
built up your homeland to go back to?
2. Never choose to start a fight you can’t finish.
So what happened in Ore won’t happen again.
Have sources of food, plenty ammunition, good
roads, high citizen morale, foreign and local
support in high places.
Nnamdi Kanu
3. There is only one way a coup can end. Some
will emerge as victors, some will be vanquished.
He who has the victory has the upper hand. Biafra
was an indirect result of the 1966 coup. If the
coup had been successful, there won’t be Biafra.
4. Fighting a war on selfish interests alone. The
war is doomed to fail from start.
5. Trying to leave a nation is an act of rebellion,
and will be treated as such. Let no one fool you.
It is causing friction in a country that is barely
managing to hold itself together.



Way forward:




1. Discuss, discuss and discuss till an acceptable
solution is reached. War is not the way.
2. Leave Italy refugee camps, leave South Africa,
leave Malaysia, leave the north where your shops
are burnt, families jailed and killed, destinies
truncated, where you insist on staying all in the
name of business and "ego".
You live to fight another day.
The Jews didn't build a formidable nation, Israel,
till they came home from different parts they have
been scattered to.



www-naij-com.0.freebasics.com/1110729-opinion-5-reasons-igbos-return-homeland-find-peace.html?iorg_service_id_internal=692981340802115">https://https-www-naij-com.0.freebasics.com/1110729-opinion-5-reasons-igbos-return-homeland-find-peace.html?iorg_service_id_internal=692981340802115%3BAfp9J5oICg5r4ReC

Yah man! That's the spirit.. Ipod ad Ipond must go..Oduarewastan loading.

it is our hope that they
inherit this country in better shape so that they
can build a much better future for themselves
and their offsprings in an atmosphere that is
devoid of anarchy, hate, suspicion and negativity
that characterize the polarized, and clearly
irreconcilable differences forced on us by the
Biafran Igbos”.

We can actually achieve this, this is my dream of a restructured Nigeria, after the Biafrans must have been pushed to their country.
It's increasingly becoming obvious that the North is tired of the Igbos and it's clear the the Northerners are more matured in their approach. No insults like the Biafrans, just facts as known to them.
The debate will eventually force this govt to DO SOMETHING.
Unfortunately the Ibos hardly debate, but to insult, curse and throw expletives all around the place.

Seems they aren't scared of the DSS

simplycarro:


We can actually achieve this, this is my dream of a restructured Nigeria, after the Biafrans must have been pushed to their country.
It's increasingly becoming obvious that the North is tired of the Igbos and it's clear the the Northerners are more matured in their approach. No insults like the Biafrans, just facts as known to them.
The debate will eventually force this govt to DO SOMETHING.
Unfortunately the Ibos hardly debate, but to insults and throw expletives all around the place.

The North don't need to insult anyone when they can kill and destroy properties at slightest provocation.

This is a great write up there
This is what IPOB has been saying and now, the North, has added their voice, Referendum should be allowed. Nigeria leadership should not suppress the feelings of their components and expect great development

Because of money, greed our ears have all gone deaf. This Biafra thing is no longer a play stuff. It's an ideology even if you stop this generation the next will still cry for it.

#Istandwithnorthernergroup

eph12:

The North don't need to insult anyone when they can kill and destroy properties at slightest provocation.

So Igbos own is to insult ? Ok I get you.

simplycarro:


We can actually achieve this, this is my dream of a restructured Nigeria, after the Biafrans must have been pushed to their country.
It's increasingly becoming obvious that the North is tired of the Igbos and it's clear the the Northerners are more matured in their approach. No insults like the Biafrans, just facts as known to them.
The debate will eventually force this govt to DO SOMETHING.
Unfortunately the Ibos hardly debate, but to insults and throw expletives all around the place.

You don't know anything. Are Boko Haram not North? Did they not kill and maim people? Did they not insult Christians and non-muslims?
Any group that's agitating do insult anybody standing on their way. Stop being petty.

Although I am for restructuring, but a referendum would not be a bad idea at this point.
The Southeast is better off restructured (true federating states) its going to be too painful/maybe fatal too, in the first decade's should Biafra get independence. You don't go into things as weighty as this without a plan. I doubt that the government would oblige the request anyway.

Mature words.

However, it took a lot of efforts and even blood to achieve Nigeria. For Ipob, their issues about the injustice in Nigeria are justified, but I do think that it neglects the bigger picture.

They stand to gain more in Nigeria than being apart.

bkool7:

1. To all Igbos clamouring for Biafra, have you
built up your homeland to go back to?
2. Never choose to start a fight you can’t finish.
So what happened in Ore won’t happen again.
Have sources of food, plenty ammunition, good
roads, high citizen morale, foreign and local
support in high places.
Nnamdi Kanu
3. There is only one way a coup can end. Some
will emerge as victors, some will be vanquished.
He who has the victory has the upper hand. Biafra
was an indirect result of the 1966 coup. If the
coup had been successful, there won’t be Biafra.
4. Fighting a war on selfish interests alone. The
war is doomed to fail from start.
5. Trying to leave a nation is an act of rebellion,
and will be treated as such. Let no one fool you.
It is causing friction in a country that is barely
managing to hold itself together.



Way forward:




1. Discuss, discuss and discuss till an acceptable
solution is reached. War is not the way.
2. Leave Italy refugee camps, leave South Africa,
leave Malaysia, leave the north where your shops
are burnt, families jailed and killed, destinies
truncated, where you insist on staying all in the
name of business and "ego".
You live to fight another day.
The Jews didn't build a formidable nation, Israel,
till they came home from different parts they have
been scattered to.



www-naij-com.0.freebasics.com/1110729-opinion-5-reasons-igbos-return-homeland-find-peace.html?iorg_service_id_internal=692981340802115">https://https-www-naij-com.0.freebasics.com/1110729-opinion-5-reasons-igbos-return-homeland-find-peace.html?iorg_service_id_internal=692981340802115%3BAfp9J5oICg5r4ReC

Referendum not war.

Good!

Once the Igbos leave, the center will cave in and that will be the end of Nigeria.

And since the Igbo have virtually infiltrated
every nook and cranny of Northern Nigeria where
they have been received with open arms as fellow
compatriots,

These amajiris are terrible liars.

You have received Igbos with open arms yet you kill them and loot their properties at the drop of a hat.

Nonsense.

I'm Igbo and I've never and will never be in support of Biafra
#
oneNigeria

The balkanization of Nigeria is an inevitable eventuality

They waited for Buhari to leave before tabling their demands....
They know the mere commissioner wunt do any jack. .

kingxsamz:
I'm Igbo and I've never and will never be in support of Biafra
#
oneNigeria

No one said you shouldn't clamor for a One Nigeria.... the issue is that you have been ordered to leave North by the hosts.
So quickly and quietly return to your region and continue your one Nigeria chant.. mpama

Even though the long epistle reeks of frustration, Arewa youths must be commended for for their new stance on self determination. however, they seem confused- holding carnival with Igbo attire today and next they want support Biafra.

Btw, i hope they know we notice the way they have been trying so hard to associate Biafra with south east geo political zone. we wont get tired of reminding them that south east zone neither represents the entire Biafra nor even the complete Igboland.

their fear just started.

I couldn't agree more. Araba kawai!
Meanwhile my comment somewhere on the same topic

It seems you guys aren't actually serious about getting this your Utopia country.
Jews convinced UN assembly to go into another country and carve out Israel for them, and it was achieved because they played their cards right. Even though the initial terms deprived them of sole ownership of Jerusalem but they accepted it like that.
You too if you are really serious accept the five SE states as Biafra am sure majority northern lawmakers won't oppose that. Thereafter try to convince SS states to follow you.
But as it stands the Biafran agitation has no achievable blueprint. Yesterday it's NK threatening fire and brimstone, today it's IPOD claiming peaceful activism and now people like you are against tabling it through National assembly.
I stand with Kaduna declaration. We most force you to accept your Biafra.

Noneroone:
Even though the long epistle reeks of frustration, Arewa youths must be commended for for their new stance on self determination. however, they seem confused- holding carnival with Igbo attire today and next they want support Biafra.

Btw, i hope they know we notice the way they have been trying so hard to associate Biafra with south east geo political zone. we wont get tired of reminding them that south east zone neither represents the entire Biafra nor even the complete Igboland.

their fear just started.

Thank you.

That is their greatest fear.

Igboland is larger than SE and they know it.

Besides, when we leave, the SS will leave too so ultimately they lose.

wow

kingxsamz:
I'm Igbo and I've never and will never be in support of Biafra
#
oneNigeria

You better start packing.

aolawale025:
Seems they aren't scared of the DSS

How can they be scared of their people with borrowed clothes?

ZorGBUooeh:
Yah man! That's the spirit.. Ipod ad Ipond must go..Oduarewastan loading.

Igbos don't have any problem with the Yorubas, only mouth action or should I say, theoretical problems.

Nnamdi Kanu just caused wahala for innocent igbo's doing their businesses all over the country. If a referendum is conducted today, 80% of igbo's will vote to remain in Nigeria. The few online miscreants calling for biafra are those who have failed in life and hopeless about tomorrow. Those igbos guys making millions in Alaba and Ladipo market doesn't care about biafra so far Nigeria continues to put food on their table. Nnamdi Kanu should be Re-arrested

simplycarro:


So Igbos own is to insult ? Ok I get you.

Nobody is clamouring for war. Igbos need the attention of the world and Nigeria to their request, and that's why they do what they do. Fulani herdsmen still move about the East freely but if it were to be the North we both know what would have happened.

Nobody is happy with how things how now, but everyone knows that the Constitution will never be amended accordingly or will the Igbos be listened to if some things are not done. It may be extreme by the standard of the Igbos but by the standard of the North that is complaining it is not. They have done worse and have the potential to do more at the snap of the finger.

When a very sizeable population of any country i.e. Igbos in Nigeria do not feel welcome in their country, how do you expect the best from them? Nigeria can keep patching things up, but it won't change anything.

Some South-East politicians have started clamouring for Presidency in 2019. Let me ask, "Who President epp"? Presidency is just 8 years. In the end just like Obasanjo, and Yar/GEJ, and eventually Buhari, it won't changed the course of Nigeria.

Permit me to digress. The Nigeria situation is akin to Seun handing over the key of his politics forum to some individuals. Some of these individuals then feel so powerful because they have access to the ban button or perhaps because they never wielded real power. In the end they keep going in circles, chasing same shadow that they have been chasing for over a decade. Then they get frustrated because they are not making any impact: trying same thing and using same tools against same people.

When Seun gets tired of their listless and ineffectual meandering, he dumps them like pack of used condoms. We were here when Jarus ended his despotic gatekeeper-ship career in Nairaland. We saw Sexkilz tried to kill everything that moves, and there was ikenna who 'followed' every suspected trouble maker like a shadow. There was Ngwakwe, Afam4eva etc. Today we have OAM4J and others who lurk in his shadow. These people did (sometimes without human face) what they thought was best and continued to. Yet here we are. Nairaland has not changed, and doesn't look like changing. The toga of bigotry and tribalism it wore over the years has not been shed. It's rather strengthened despite whatever efforts the MODs claimed they are putting in.

This is no different from the pathetic country Nigeria is. Nigeria is broken, very broken. And none of the past presidents were able to find a solution to it. Neither will new ones with same system. Rather, it get worse with new ones.

Handing over presidency to us (Igbo) in 2019, changes nothing. The best it offers is a Pyhrric victory . For "if the foundation is broken, what can the righteous do?"

This Northern Youth Group are right in their support for the call for referendum. We need to look ourselves in the eyes and decide if we want to be part of the entity called Nigeria. Other ethnic nationalities i.e Yoruba need this referendum too. Robbing Peter to pay Paul is as sweet as stolen water. But there is always consequence. We have run full cycle are back to square one.

We cannot continue to run a country like this. Something need to give - the faulty foundation, I surmise!

Now is the time.

Referendum now!