₦airaland Forum

Biafra and Nigeria and Odumegwu-Ojukwu
EMEKA NJOKU
London, Canada
emekanjoku@rogers.com

Sunday, June 15, 2003

It is my policy not to deal with persons but to focus on principles and issues. I also do not comment on Nigeria partisan politics "elections" because politics in Nigeria is about who will loot the national treasury and enslave the people. However, I am forced to respond to a recent article titled "Post Mortem on Biafra" which focused on Generals Odumegwu-Ojukwu and Effiong, the leaders of Biafra. That article reflected the perverted thinking of many Nigerians and their silly Igbo puppets. As the Bible said: “you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free."

I deliberately chose June 12, to respond to this article because it was written by a Yoruba man. The most shameful thing about "Nigerians" is their inability to learn any lesson from history and lack of capacity for critical thinking. The underlining theme or hidden agenda of the article was attacking General Odumegwu-Ojukwu in light of his stand after the April 19th Nigerian "elections" but camouflaged as comparing Odumegwu-Ojukwu and Effiong as well as reminding Igbo people (personified as Odumegwu-Ojukwu) that they are defeated people who should be "grateful" for the "generous amnesty" granted them after their "rebellion."

In light of today's Nigeria (empirical evidence), is Odumegwu-Ojukwu of 1967 (Biafra) not vindicated? What led to Biafra and the war? Would there have been Biafra if the January 1967 Aburi Accords (the last opportunity to avoid Biafra after the 1966 pogroms against the Igbo people) were honored by Nigeria? Who reneged on the Aburi Accords? At Aburi, Odumegwu-Ojukwu (East) negotiated restructuring, confederation and non-use of force to resolve Nigeria problems. Robert Adebayo (West) wisely advised against the use of force in resolving Nigerian problems because after the military victory, Nigerians would still have to sit down at a negotiating table to resolve their problems. After crushing Biafra 33 years ago where is Nigeria today? Are not talking about restructuring Nigeria and sovereign national conference to decide the Nigerian question? Although Nigerians hate the truth and would kill anyone telling them the truth, I am dedicated to the truth and justice (fairness) without fear or favor.

By the way, Ojukwu did not lead a rebellion. I know because I was there. Biafra is a God-given right of an oppressed and terrorized people to security, safety, justice, self-determination, freedom, peace and progress. We, the people demanded it and Ojukwu as our leader only represented the wishes of the people. You should know that Igbo people are not "yes people" and would never fight for 3 years against combined Nigeria-Arab-Anglo-Russia (NAAR) and starvation if they did not believe in the cause. Biafra soldiers fought for 3 years without pay. To be blunt, Biafrans did not want anything to do with "mass murderers, baby killers, vandals and unprogressive primitive people with total disregard for the sanctity of human life"(1967 Igbo words not mine). We preferred to die fighting than to be slaves and slaughtered like sallah rams. "Give me liberty or death" is an ingrained Igbo culture. Biafra is a lesson to Nigeria and the world about the treatment of minorities which is still facing Nigeria today because it refuse to learn or is incapable of learning any lessons from past mistakes and still prefers to play ostrich game. How I wish Nigerians could learn the right lessons from Biafra which would have made it a pride of the Black race and Africa. But as usual, Nigerians hate the truth, reality but prefer ostrich game of burying ones brain in the sand and exposing ones ugly rear end to the world (sweeping things under the carpet)

The article questioned why a "shameless" Odumegwu-Ojukwu who committed "treason" against Nigeria should attempt to run for political office. I am one of those who believe that Odumegwu-Ojukwu should not be involved in the useless Nigerian politics but for a different reason. To expose the article's bias, why did the author not question Awolowo's, Gowan's and Buhari's "shamelessness". These people committed "treason" against Nigeria but were free to run for political offices. Since the author is a Yoruba, I would use Awolowo (the late Yoruba leader) to make my point. Awolowo was actually "convicted" of treason and imprisoned for life until the Nigeria-Biafra war. Subsequently, he ran for national office (President) until his death. So, if it was ok for Awolowo then why is it not ok for Odumegwu-Ojukwu?

Another point the article made that really showed ignorance (another Nigerian fatal disease but highly celebrated and admired in Nigeria) was that Odumegwu-Ojukwu fled Biafra in total darkness. Does the author know the operational routine of Uli airport during the Nigeria- Biafra war? Hint: I was in the Biafra Air Force at Uli airport and I was there when Ojukuw left. Uli airport operated only in the night under total darkness because of Nigerian strategy to bomb Relief or airlift planes and prevent humanitarian assistance to starving Biafra children and women. So what was the operational difference on the night Ojukwu left from the regular Uli? Absolutely Nothing!!.

The article also said that Odumegwu-Ojukwu “fled.” Here is the fact: Odumegwu-Ojukwu left Biafra for exile on January 11th, 1970 and the war ended January 12th when Uli airport was captured by Nigerian forces. By January 6th when Owerri (the last Biafra capital) was captured, Biafran resistance was effectively over. We held Uli airport to allow the Biafran leadership to escape because we knew the true intentions of Nigerian forces. Nigeria would have loved to capture Odumegwu-Ojukwu, parade and mock him before executing him. So, it was our prayers that Odumegwu-Ojukwu would be wise (not stubborn) enough to escape before Nigerian troops takeover Uli airport. By God's grace, Odumegwu-Ojukwu left before we surrendered Uli airport. Despite the Nigerian "No Victor and No Vanquished" and "generous amnesty" at the end of the war, Gowan (the then Nigerian leader) confirmed on January15, 2003(BBC) that Ojukwu would have be killed if he did not escape in 1970. God saves!! We thank God for Odumegwu-Ojukwu's life because the enemy still wants him dead.

This brings me to why I decided to respond to the article on June 12th. I assume Nigerians know the significance of June 12th in the history of their wonderful "country" which Odumegwu-Ojukwu tried to tear apart (the authors words not mine). Abiola (another Yoruba) won an election in the most free and fair election in Nigeria history but it was annulled. As usual Nigeria squandered another golden opportunity to move forward and blamed the victim. When Abiola demanded justice and his rightful entitlement, the Nigerian troops (which Odumegwu-Ojukwu escaped) captured him and today he is dead! Would any true Yoruba man not have preferred that Abiola escaped to continue the fight? Odumegwu-Ojukwu was born in northern Nigeria and grew up in Lagos (western Nigeria). He fully understood the nature of the beast and its mentality. Abiola trusted General Sani Abacha (his Nigerian “friend” and military ruler) and ended up in the tiger’s belly.

I had thought that by now, 33years after the barbaric war waged against Biafra or Igbo people during which 3million of my people perished, and today’s ugly facts in Nigeria that Nigerians would be asking themselves some soul-searching questions if they claim to be human beings and Godly. Today, there are many "Biafras" in Nigeria even if they pretend otherwise. Anyone or group seeking security, safety, justice, self-determination, peace and progress in today's Nigeria is a "Biafran". Biafra is a concept and human spirit. It is about people seeking protection and justice. Unlike Nigeria, it is not about "geography" or “territory”. Nigeria fought to preserve “territorial Integrity” while Biafra fought to defend its people against death and destruction. Today, we know the real reason why Nigeria fought Biafra. It was resource control. Adekunle and Obasanjo independently confirmed this in 1999 and 2001 respectively.

Today, Nigeria is only "one country" only on paper (late Ahmadu Bello) and a “geographic expression” (late Awolowo and also Tafawa Balewa). Unity is about people freely working together not being held by force. Nigeria is as "united", “indivisible” and “indissoluble” as the former Soviet Union. Today, Nigeria is still destroying and wasting its best brains and people (the main Biafran beef against Nigeria in 1966-67 and my own). My focus and concern is people. I am not interested in geography. There is nothing sacrosanct about “one Nigeria”. A country is an administrative arrangement to collectively benefit the people not to destroy and enslave them. Nigeria is not God’s creation. It was created by the British colonial master for British administrative purposes.

I weep for the all the people being destroyed and wasted in Nigeria. I am praying for a Godly and peaceful solution to the Nigerian problem even if it means that the different ethnic/religious groups become different countries. Nigerians must grow up and start facing issues/problems squarely instead of playing ostrich game. The real enemies of Nigeria are the so-called power elite and their collaborators who are looting the nation and destroying the people instead of those of us telling the truth. The enemy of a seriously sick patient is someone who refuses to discuss and get treatment for the patient while looting the patient’s house and killing the patient’s children. A patient has to be a compound fool to regard such a heartless enemy and criminal as a friend. Who is then the real enemy of Nigeria and why do some people regard the real enemy of Nigeria as “leaders”, superheroes” and “patriotic” while those of us looking for realistic solutions are branded “unpatriotic or enemy”? I do not want to see any Igbo or Yoruba or Hausa or Ijaw or Tiv or Edo or Fulani or Christian or Muslim killed or ill-treated anymore in Nigeria.

So, leave Odumegwu-Ojukwu alone. Nigerians have enough problems and shames to deal with. Let us concentrate on principles and issues e.g. restructuring, resource control, justice and equity instead of "post mortem on Biafra". If I fought on the Nigerian side during the war, I would be so ashamed and angry at Nigeria in light of today's Nigeria. I would be saying that I killed 3 million Biafrans for nothing. By the way, it was Nigeria that attacked and killed/starved 3 million Biafrans not Odumegwu-Ojukwu. Killing Igbos is a Nigerian sport since 1945. Those who fought on the Biafra side feel vindicated today. As General Effiong said during the Oputa panel in 2001(31 years after the war), the same conditions that led to Biafra still exist today in Nigeria. Today, my Igbo people still face injustice, death and destruction in Nigeria. We are still seeking security, protection, justice and peace in Nigeria. You should talk to Ijaw, Ogoni, Tiv, Niger Delta, Southern Kaduna people and they will tell you their needs (same as 1967 Biafra). Even the core North used Biafran principles (self-determination) and issues when they unilaterally “seceded” and declared themselves northern Islamic states with their own laws and "constitution". But there were no "federal" troops to crush the "rebellion" as was done to 1967 Biafra or recently Niger Delta people demanding resource control over their God-given oil. Check BBC or Nigeriaworld.com websites for the real map of Nigeria (Sharia north and secular South). Why the different treatment for the slave master and the slaves in the slave colony?

Today’s Nigeria is a slave colony. The slave masters and slaves get different treatments. The slave masters have rights while the slaves have no rights. For example, Nigeria has constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech, expression and association but these are not really available to Igbo or Niger Delta groups. Self-determination is also not available to some groups or the slaves. What is the difference between today’s Nigeria and a slave colony or colonialism or apartheid South Africa? The color of the oppressor or slave master does not matter. What matters is the principles and issues.

It is important that Nigerians focus on principles and issues and the future rather than idiotic attacks on Odumegwu-Ojukwu and Biafra. The problem is Nigeria and Nigerians not Odumegwu-Ojukwu. Nigeria is fundamentally flawed and needs rethinking. I pray that God will give Nigerians wisdom and courage to face the real issues (restructuring; resource control; leadership; idolatry or worship of money and power; ethnic and religious racism/terrorism; hatred of truth; ostrich game; lack of principles or principled people; and real enemies parading themselves as “leaders” and “patriotic”). The present Nigeria is unacceptable and deadly. If you really love the longsuffering Nigerians or people then join me in seeking a peaceful end to injustice, death and destruction of people or groups even if it means becoming different countries. Those perpetuating the status quo, looting the national treasury and wasting the people are the real enemies not me. So, the morons and hypocrites should focus their attacks or criticisms on the real enemies. I lived in northern Nigeria and Lagos and I would love a fair arrangement where the nationalities in Nigeria co-exist in peace, justice and progress but I refuse to be a slave or belong to a backward country with total disregard for the sanctity of human life and justice.

Peace to all.

Emeka Njoku
London, Canada

http://www.kwenu.com/publications/njoku/biafra_nigeria_ojukwu.htm

manchy7531:
Ye right! What a hogwash? Awo acknowledged the wrong against the ibos by the North. Yet he joined the North to sustain the wrong-doings 9 massacres and genocide) for a nation he called a geographical expression!If he knew all this thing why did he join Northern-led Nigerian government who took power all to dominate Nigeria? Why did he not reject Gowon's appointment and allow North and East to fight it out? Why did he not insist on Aburi Accord which would have addressed his statement that Nigeria was a "mere geographical expression"
You mean Awo accepted appointment with Gowon to sustain a "mere geographical expression" where the rest of tribes - including Yorubas will be dominated by the North.Awo was a tribalist and opportunist - l don't hold it against him! He chose to join the north and exploited the tragedy of the Ibos and the war to strategically enthrone Yorubas as the dominant tribe and reap the post-war political and economical spoils.


All the fools that are trying to reduce the atrocities Awolowo committed against Igbo to what he promised or not promised to Ojukwu. During the genocide awolowo called for total blockade of Biafra. He and Edwin Clark forced Gowon to use hunger and starvation to starve all Igbo children to death. Awolowo ordered his brother Colonel Adekunle to shoot down a Red Cross cargo plane carrying medicine at Eket near Calabar. The world was shocked by that mayhem which prompted Harod Wilson of Britain to undertake a PR mission because the war was about to turn against Nigeria for their atrocities. After the daily shooting war Awo dispossessed Igbo of money. He banned the importation of used clothes which Igbo people traded on to survive. He closed all western universities against Igbo students. The chancellor of Lagos university defied him and admitted qualified Igbo students. Where do I stop to enumerate the injustices meted on Igbo race?


As per the argument being advanced about who released Awo from the Calabar prison it is obvious that Ojukwu released him because the Gowon counter coup was not national and was never accepted by Ojukwu who was the military governor of the Eastern region.There was no way Gowon would have ordered the release of Awo when he was still fighting for legitimacy as far as the East was concerned. The northern coup was not national and more so the regions then were strictly under the control of the regional military governments.Awo was a big coward!! History will judge everyone!



it takes discerning or like minds to decipher what/how great minds reason? See below glimpses of Ikemba's person
*At 13, he slapped a colonial tutor for insulting a junior worker- A yoruba woman
* During Nzeogwu's revolution/coup (always mistaken as Igbo coup),he wasnt involved and played a major role to counter it and also encouraged the coupist to surrender
* His issue with Gowon and the counter coup led by TY Danjuma, Murtala Mohammed and co that toppled Aguiyi Ironsi- (An Igbo man )was professional- Allow the most senior military officer-Ironsi's deputy-A yoruba man (Babafemi Ogundipe) to take over and not Gowon who was several years their junior but obviously, the northern soldiers had their plans.
* When the massacre of the southerners started in the north, he guaranteed the safe return of northerners to their states by providing escorts
* He never waged a war but left in peace when the federals could not guarantee the safety of his people

We have to remember that Nigeria was at war.  At the beginning of the war Biafra had the upper hand.  What did they do with it?  They decided to invade the Midwest Region and were heading for Lagos.  Why did Ojukwu's Army invade the Midwest region? If he wanted his Republic of Biafra why did he invade the Midwest region?  I was told that the Biafran soldiers were not good colonial masters when they invaded the Midwest.  They were arrogant and cruel.  I was also told that when the federal forces arrived the civilians were so eager to get rid of their captors that they provided information to the soldiers on where to located them.

If the tables were turned I am sure Biafra would have starved the rest of the country.  Given the massacre waged on Igbos in the North, I am sure that starving the "Almajiris" would have been a popular policy in Biafra.  At the end of the day, we were fighting a war and the Igbos were out-manned and outgunned plain and simple.  If you need your ENEMY to feed you during a war then maybe you need to surrender. Shikena.

We have to remember that Nigeria was at war.  At the beginning of the war Biafra had the upper hand.  What did they do with it?  The decided to invade the Midwest Region and were heading for Lagos.  Why did Ojukwu's Army invade the Midwest region? If he wanted his Republic of Biafra why did he invade the Midwest region?  I was told that the Biafran soldiers were not good colonial masters when they invaded the Midwest.  They were arrogant and cruel.  I was also told that when the federal forces arrived the civilians were so eager to get rid of their captors that they provided information to the soldiers on where to located them.

If the tables were turned I am sure Biafra would have starved the rest of the country.  Given the massacre waged on Igbos in the North, I am sure that starving the "Almajiris" would have been a popular policy in Biafra.  At the end of the day, we were fighting a war and the Igbos were out-manned and outgunned plain and simple.  If you need your opponent to feed you during a war then maybe you need to surrender. Shikena.

@ "scam invented by lord lugard? "

hahahahahahahahahaha 9ja don suffer

Jarus:
Now, I am an unapologetic Buhari supporter and I spent my energy and resources working for him in the last elections. But, will I advise him to contest in 2015? I don't think so. Will I vote for him if he decides to contest? Definitely yes.

I can't agree with you more.  Buhari is reaching a point in his life where he needs to secure his legacy.  He needs to do something that will give Nigerians a lasting positive memory of him.  We must remember that 30% of Nigeria's electorate are fanatical supporters of Buhari.  They may not be enough to win an election but they are enough to provide gravitas to a younger politician who gets Buhari's endorsement. 


Here is a hypothetical scenario.  If PDP nominates an Igbo man in 2015 and ACN, CPC, and ANPP nominate Fashola, the election will be very close.  Northerners will be angry because PDP zoned them out and an endorsement from Buhari can seal the deal for Fashola.  If Buhari does this, Nigerians will remember him as the man who delivered the final blow that knocked out PDP.

Why does he say he is interested in both men and women?  Usually people use that to state whether they are straight, gay, or bisexual.

Beaf leave Buhari alone. Btw I am happy that I can tell all my family and friends who voted for GEJ "I told you so." The man is incompetent, spineless, and clueless. I am sure it is getting harder everyday for you to continue to defend him. I sincerely hope you are enjoying the "Fresh Fart" you voted for.

Remember that a man actually beat up Obasanjo last year. But he was a rare exception. Nigerians are too timid. Although Nigerians claim to hate corruption, many of them still want to get the crumbs that fall from the tables corrupt politicians.

I have been following Okorocha's career since his 2003 campaign for President. He is a very ambitious man and he has the charisma and the eloquence to match his ambition. Right now we need to wait for results. Okorocha can sell water to a fish; we all know that. But we cannot be distracted by his showmanship. We need to judge him based on his results. By this time next year we will see if the results on ground match what he is saying now.

egift:
You guys are simply wicked

So you all want Oga Jonathan to be charged to court for being an accomplice, corrupt and obstruction of justice

Hahahahahahaha you may call it wickedness but I call it fighting for justice.

Gbawe:
What next? Femi Falana as AGF? I don't know why Nigerians love playing fantasy politics totally incongrous with reality. We all know who the Nigerians with undoubted integrity and principles are. In so far as , glaringly, they were[b] never[/b] behind GEJ, while they rallied behind Buhari and Ribadu, then it is obvious that this is a totally ridiculous thread. The Nigerians we all love and respect stayed away from GEJ because they know , beyond the silly charade of "boy with no shoes", what he really is i.e a poster child for corruption, "business as usual" and AGIPism .

@Big BI

So, Buhari should take a job, fighting corruption, from a man who personifies the excesses of corruption with his conducts/policies and association? As if Chinua Achebe and others, with how they stay away from GEJ, have not shown that Nigerians exist who want nothing to do with those who are a big part of the problems yet pretend to be the solution.

You are so correct. As sweet and as juicy as this may sound, this is fantasy politics. If Buhari is made head of EFCC, he will be frustrated. There will be many high profile and sensational inquiries and investigations but they will be truncated by our corrupt judiciary and by the mighty fist of the office of the Presidency. At the end of the day we must never forget that "GEJ is a poster child for corruption, "business as usual", and AGIPism ." He is yet to prove himself otherwise. EFCC has not lived up to what Nigerians hoped it will be. EFCC is now a tool used by the Presidency to command the loyalty of every politician. In Nigerian politics, you can steal as much as you want to steal as long as you are loyal to the President. If you show any sign of disloyalty, the President sends EFCC to roughen you feathers.

If the National Assembly ever has to vote on secession, this is a rough idea on how they will vote assuming that people throw away their party loyalty. I got my data on the number of seats in each state from the Speaker's website. If I made any error on the number of seats that each state has, please correct the attached spreadsheet and repost it. Just thought this may add to the debate. From a highlevel stand point, if a 2/3 majority is required to dissolve the federation, the votes are not yet available.

http://speakersoffice.gov.ng/constituencies.htm

PointB, the point I was making is that the poster's point is faulty on 2 fronts.  He did not acknowledge the hypothetical scenario that I highlighted and he assumes that Nigeria will disintegrate via a civil war.

PointB, remember that when Abacha died people were rejoicing in his home state and nobody demanded an autopsy.  I agree with you that GEJ's administration has not yet reached the point where Nigerians share a unified hatred of him.  However, we are discussing hypotheticals here and the poster did not state a scenario that I think has merit.  Presidents all over the world like Abacha have become so unpopular that their entire country (including their kinsmen) shared a unified hatred for a common enemy.  The point I am trying to make is that for any revolution to be successful in Nigeria, the kinsmen of the President must hate the President just as much as the rest of the country hates the President.  If the rest of the country needs to use propaganda to make that happen, they must do that.  That is all I am saying.

Secondly, I addressed the reasons why I think a civil war can be avoided in my prior post:

danjohn:
I personally think that a civil war can be avoided.  The only thing keeping Nigeria together is oil money from the Niger Delta.  When Niger Delta oil dries up, everyone will answer their father's name and Nigeria will disintegrate.  However, if the Niger Delta agrees to continue giving oil money to the break away Nigerian states for a limited period after Nigeria disintegrates (15 - 20 years), Nigeria will break up peacefully.

Northerners did not fight Biafra because they loved Igbos and wanted to be in the same country with Igbos.  They fought Biafra because of oil.  If Ojukwu sat down with Gowon and conceded some of the Non-Igbo Niger Delta portions of the then eastern region, a civil war could have been avoided.

PointB:
@Topic,
Spot on. I rather a split than some fake revolution.

@DanJohn,
Which south are you talking about? A revolution against GEJ led by SW will be seen in the same way as that from the North. Such treachery will certainly be one to many.

PointB, I meant a hypothetical situation where a President's kinsmen lead a revolution because the President is grossly incompetent.

[quote author=Beaf! link=topic=809744.msg9615992#msg9615992 date=1322054713]^^^
I deliberately did not mention that because it will never happened. Not now that luck have smiled on the south and they feel it is their turn to mess with the socalled Nigeria. Look at what we have today as president 

BTW who is fake?
Read my signature  [/quote]Hahahahahaha I did not see your signature.  My bad.  I think that Nigeria needs 16 - 24 years of competent leadership from the top.  We need to build our infrastructure, we need to improve healthcare and education, and we need the regulatory framework in place that can make Nigeria a conducive place to do business.  If we can do those four things our standard of living will rise quickly.

I personally think that a civil war can be avoided.  The only thing keeping Nigeria together is oil money from the Niger Delta.  When Niger Delta oil dries up, everyone will answer their father's name and Nigeria will disintegrate.  However, if the Niger Delta agrees to continue giving oil money to the break away Nigerian states for a limited period after Nigeria disintegrates (15 - 20 years), Nigeria will break up peacefully.

Northerners did not fight Biafra because they loved Igbos and wanted to be in the same country with Igbos.  They fought Biafra because of oil.  If Ojukwu sat down with Gowon and conceded some of the Non-Igbo Niger Delta portions of the then eastern region, a civil war could have been avoided.

I do not think we need to think about the worst case scenario yet.  We need to work on bringing credible governance to our country. We need to work on making Nigeria have a credible and formidable opposition party.  If the ruling party in any state and on the federal level know that they can be defeated in an election, they will perform better.  Right now we have a situation where only 1 party has the resources and the spread to win a national election.  Some states are for all intents and purposes, 1 party states.  That needs to change.  In addition we need internal party democracy where voters transparently choose their party nominees.  In America when you register to vote you state the name of the party that you would like to be affiliated with.  Affiliating yourself with a political party allows you to vote in that party's primaries.  Obama won the Democratic Party's Presidential nomination with over 17 million votes (as opposed to Goodluck's 3,000 or so delegates).  But here in Nigeria all you have to do is bribe delegates that nobody has ever heard of in their lives. 

My brother, it is well.  E go better.  I just had to say those two because I need some false hope to remain positive on Nigeria.

Fake Beaf, your logic is not complete.  What about if the revolution starts from the South?  If Southerners rise up against an incompetent President from the South, Northerners will gladly join the revolution.

I mean no disrespect but I think that with hindsight Ikemba would have done things differently.  The three conditions listed below made Ojukwu's proposition dead on arrival:

(iv) Biafran troops will, after the liberation of the Yorubaland, remain in that territory only for as long as we in Biafra consider it necessary for the Yorubas to consolidate their position and sovereignty against any external threat.

Ikemba needed to be more specific here.  A Yoruba cynic can interpret this to mean Ojukwu's troops staying for eternity.

(vii) During the period of Biafrans troops’ presence in your territory, all political measures, statements or decrees shall be subject to the approval, in writing by myself or on my authority.

Once again a Yoruba cynic can interpret this this to mean moving from being slaves to the Hausa/Fulani to being slaves to Biafra.

(viii) Should our troops arrive and liberate Lagos, the government of the Republic of Biafra reserves the right to appoint a Military administrator for the territory. Such an Administrator  will remain in office until a merger of that territory with Yorubaland is effected by Biafran troops.

Once again you are telling Yoruba's that you want to liberate them from the Hausa/Fulani and make them your junior partners.  However, Yoruba's were already the junior partners of the Hausa/Fulani.  What is the incentive to engage in a war to become Ojukwu's junior partner?

Ojukwu came before his time and he knew he was much smarter than his peers.  This gave him confidence that bordered on arrogance.  This letter was written by a young, idealistic Colonel whose good intentions were not balanced with enough diplomacy.

Hmmmmm,  Boko Haram makes me cringe because they threaten the very existence of our country.  From observing Nigeria for the past few months, I have come to the conclusion that a few mad men with Bazookas at the 3 armed zone in Abuja and Apo quarters can really shake the nerve of the country.

I think governors from each geo political region (regardless of party affiliation) need to start having secret meetings with military commanders from their part of the country to know what military options each political region will have if or when all hell breaks loose.  Our leaders need to be proactive not reactive.  For example, leaders of the Southwest need to know the type of military weapons currently stored in the Southwest.  Are they small arms or are they heavy artillery?  How many Yoruba soldiers are currently located in the Southwest?  Do they have the logistics available to mobilize these soldiers to train a volunteer army in secret training camps?  What should trigger such a decision?  Should leaders wait until the national assembly is attacked by Boko Haram?  or should leaders wait until the President is assassinated or kidnapped?  These things need to be decided.

Ojukwu was caught off guard during the civil war.  His people were being massacred and he wanted his people to have a right to self determination.  However, the Nigerian army only stored small arms in the Eastern region and the number of small arms was not even enough.  Political leaders from each geo-political region regardless of party affiliations may need to start having these conversations soon.  We need to be proactive and not reactive.  Each political region needs to be ready.  NIGERIA HAS A WEAK CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.  We all say that Rome was not built in a day but neither was Somalia.  I am not being melodramatic I am just giving my 2 cents.  Shikena

At least he is not telling us to pray for Boko Haram members to confess.

Gbawe:
Great observation danjohn. We forget that Nigerians are now living in the facebook and twitter age where they see revolts against poor leadership becoming popular worldwide. In this information age , where the power of the individual is growing, the message has to be "don't go near leadership unless you know precisely what you are doing".

Gbawe you are correct about the fact that the internet has made it easier for regular folks to organize. However, my biggest concern is the possibility of chaos. Nigeria needs an umbrella organization that the masses can channel their frustration through. There was a time when NLC filled that void. For a split second SNG also filled that void.

Goodluck is currently leading a weak central government. If his government collapses, there is no credible group ready to fill the void. I dont want people rioting for the sake of rioting. That only leads to a semi-illiterate soldier coming to power in the name of restoring law and order.

For now I think we should focus on creating a formidable opposition. We need 2 major parties in Nigeria. Two parties that can match each other strength for strength. ACN needs to merge with CPC, LP, ANPP, and APGA. Before the election there were doubts about who the senior partner will be in such an alliance because CPC was largely untested but now that is not the case.

I think that technology should be used by the opposition to mobilize votes and also to neutralize PDP's financial advantage.

I don't like the fact that he uses the word followers repeatedly. I prefer the word supporters.

Gbawe takes on Beaf and wins! lol.  Whenever Beaf is cornered in a debate, he circumvents the message and tries to discredit the source.  However that did not work this time.

Whoever said that Buhari lost Kastina is being very misleading.  Buhari won Kastina in the Presidential election.  CPC won all three senate seats in Kastina and they also won a majority of the Kastina Federal House of Reps seats from Kastina.

My two cents for 2015 is that ACN and CPC need to rally behind Fashola (or another young, competent, and vibrant politician).  Buhari needs to campaign for Fashola in the North.  Fashola should go to every state in the north and campaign rigorously even if it means going to all the major mosques in the North and praying with them.  Buhari has made some PR miscalculations in the past.  He needs to do something to secure his legacy. 

We must remember that Buhari is still very popular in the Core North.  He ran a shoe string campaign and won 12 million votes.  Those are 12 million voters that Fashola could use.  Fashola can win the Southwest with 60 -70% and he can get between 30 - 50% in the Middle-Belt.  If Jonathan decides to run for a second term, Fashola getting an endorsement from Buhari may be enough to decide the election. 

For this to work though, they need to start working right now.  They should not wait until the last minute because we cannot entrust the country in the hands of a hastily formed coalition.

[quote author=ekt_bear link=topic=800402.msg9532958#msg9532958 date=1321033704]Kats, don't waste your time man. It isn't worth the effort. I used to be interested in these things a year ago but now they bore the hell out of me.

A poster here asked earlier for pictures, nothing was provided.

The burden of proof is on those who claim that these things were done to actually demonstrate it.

Not some sort of m0ronic argument in which if you don't believe someone's lies, you are guilty of bad belle and jealously.

Kind of pathetic, really.

Anyway, everyone is entitled to their own delusions. Just don't expect others to accept your particular delusions as gospel truth, is all I ask.[/quote]ekt_bear Biafra did not make planes.  Ojukwu himself said it.  He said that they tried to make planes but their effort was not successful.  Someone should please look at the video and try skipping to the portions where Ojukwu is speaking.  You will see where he said it.  I wish I could watch the video now and tell you where it is in the video but I am at work.

asha 80:
you want to start another round of back and forth ethnic bashing abi?

Not at all.  This documentary is a good historical piece.  I am surprised that it doesnt have many views on youtube.  I do not subscribe to ethnic and religious bigotry.  I am just a bit concerned about the fact that we do not see videos of Nigerian historical events.  Many Nigerians would like to hear Tafawa Balewa's independence day speech.  Many Nigerians would like to see our history on video.  Until a recent youtube video of Tafawa Balewa surfaced, I had never heard his voice before.  This is just a history video. 

Nairalanders, if you do not have anything constructive to say about what you see in this documentary, please do not comment.  Shikena.

Below is a documentary on Biafra.  If you have sometime please watch it.  It is very touching.

Part 1

[flash=425,344]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3ReFoFp0Gs[/flash]

Part 2

[flash=425,344]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQkIQuK7A50&feature=related[/flash]

Part 3

[flash=425,344]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7qQdZ9nzbI&feature=related[/flash]

Part 4

[flash=425,344]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eppgEVwxCfk&feature=related[/flash]

Part 5

[flash=425,344]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSqhqP3U-t4&feature=related[/flash]

Part 6

[flash=425,344]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZTpuVlKJ_Q&feature=related[/flash]

Part 7

[flash=425,344]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=An7IZBBATTM&feature=related[/flash]

[color=#006600][/color][size=20pt]Biafra Did Not Build Airplanes[/size]

There is a Biafra documentary on youtube where Ojukwu spoke about the innovative things Biafrans made. He spoke of how they made rockets, ammunition, pomade, soap, bear, etc.  He said they tried to make airplanes but they were not successful.  Anyone who has a chance should watch the documentary.  It is very touching.

Part 1

[flash=425,344]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3ReFoFp0Gs[/flash]

Part 2

[flash=425,344]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQkIQuK7A50&feature=related[/flash]

Part 3

[flash=425,344]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7qQdZ9nzbI&feature=related[/flash]

Part 4

[flash=425,344]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eppgEVwxCfk&feature=related[/flash]

Part 5

[flash=425,344]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSqhqP3U-t4&feature=related[/flash]

Part 6

[flash=425,344]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZTpuVlKJ_Q&feature=related[/flash]

Part 7

[flash=425,344]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=An7IZBBATTM&feature=related[/flash]

Question: Why Is Jonathan Receiving More Insults Than Yar'adua And Obasanjo Combined Together?

There are two possible answers to this question:

1. Jonathan is worse that Yar'adua and Obasanjo combined.

2. Nigerians are sick and tired of politics as usual and, although Jonathan promised to be different, he hasn't been better than Obasanjo and Yar'Adua.

olawalebab:
Some porter no go kill us with their display of sheer ignorance, imagine 'picture won him 2 million votes' clueless comment.

Nigerians are very sentimental.  I met so many people who told me that they were voting for GEJ because they believed that he was chosen by God to lead us.  During the election many Nigerians saw Goodluck as "The Chosen One".  To many Nigerians, that was a picture of Adeboye, the most revered and respected religious figure in the country, confirming that GEJ is[b] "The Chosen One".[/b]

2 million may be an exaggeration. But still this picture won him some extra votes.

Nigerians are very religious and sentimental.  Jonathan's picture won him at least 2 million votes.  In a country like Nigeria, such a picture shows humility and an implied endorsement from the biggest religious figure in the SW and possibly Nigeria.

Buhari's picture obviously shows Buhari exuding dignity as he always does.  But Jonathan's picture is what wins elections.

Beaf criticizing Sahara Reporters is expected. I am sure they refused to collect brown envelope from his boss (GEJ).