Self-determination for the People of Biafra:

Biafra, a nation of some 40 million people, has for almost 40 years suffered incessant exploitation, humiliation, dehumanization, oppression and genocide at the hands of Nigeria in a calculated and deliberate agenda to permanently and perpetually subjugate the people and obliterate their culture.

Self-determination in any form is a right recognized by and accepted in International law and many other International and regional instruments

Biafra has a population of over 40 million people, and has;

1. a common historical tradition dating to times prior to European colonization,

2. a racial and ethnic identity well distinguishable from the rest of Nigeria,

3. cultural homogeneity which distinguishes its people apart from the rest of Nigeria,

4. linguistic unity, with a major language, minor languages, and a lingua franca,

5. religious affinity, the dominant religion being Christianity,

6. ideological affinity,

7. distinct, contiguous territoriality, and

8. a common sociopolitical and economic life.

In addition, the population as whole naturally sees and considers itself as a people bound by common ancestry, sociopolitical ties and destiny; hence, the people exhibit the will and consciousness of being a people.

The primary reason driving the self-determination form and effort of the people of Biafra is the imperative to provide the traditional existential human needs of freedom, liberty, survival and prosperity of our people. Yet, the reason for Self Determination for Biafra goes well beyond human needs; the aforementioned structure of Nigeria, put together by its colonial master and inherited as such, is a forced amalgamation of peoples and nations who were never suited, and are still not suited to be lumped together as one nation in the first place.

The architect of the amalgamation, the British Lord Lugard, stated 100 years ago, that such a “union” would never work—that “Easterners [Biafrans] and Northerners were like oil and water and would never mix.” He was right then. He is still right at this time. The problem is that Nigeria is pretending to make it work, using all manner of force and intimidation, buoyed by the support of other self-interested parties who benefit from the ongoing resultant dysfunctional and pathologic status of the state of Nigeria.