₦airaland Forum

On Biafra we stand

Firefire:
The floor is open...

Which Oshemole is working??

In Biafra we stand

Only news and hope I share is Biafra hope, it gives me joy and inspiration

We need Oduduwa republic, a nation that will prosper more than Biafra or Arewa republic

On Biafra I stand, I shall be there on 7th November

Biafra should strife to be an independent nation and all tribes in Biafra land must be seen as one, every part should develop her area.

Let the igbos be free, Biafra we stand

OK, if the igbos need freedom and self determination, so be it. Africa needs development and not oppression

senier007:
http://tribuneonlineng.com/node/20834

Where is the risk?? Wrong information, remove from front page

seunmsg:
But am not in support of the decision that all teachers must be in suit. We should be promoting our cultural attire and not foreign ones.

Suit where AC they work for staff room.

TheOnlyWiseMan:
What's this world is turning to?

Last time a commissioner to be suggested school children drawing criminals instead of geometric figures, today a likely occultic governor is trying to put a hold on prayer in the schools.
Anyway, Both prayer and national anthem should be stopped at school. But introduce a positive mantra or incantations to be chanted by the students every morning

spanishkid:
Benin — An imminent inter-tribal clash involving Binis, Ijaws, Itsekiris and Urhobos is looming in Edo State. The grouse of the Binis is that other tribes have encroached on their territory and instead of accepting their status as tenants or guests, they are overstepping their bonds.

P.M. News learnt that in order to put the non-Bini tribes where they really belong, a bill to rename some of their communities is now on the floor of the Edo State House of Assembly.

This writer should be ban, for giving wrong information, the writer does not even live in Edo State

Nigeria is the CAGE of ZOO

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.

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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.

I sent you an information, don't worry much on the arrangement of my information, this is the background of the information you shall be receiving from me.

Symbol of a failed state. Police needs good training.

Biafra we stand, farewell to Nigeria

BACKGROUND/ PART ONE
This exercise of self-determination is a direct expression of the will of the people of Biafra. It is an ongoing process that began in 1966 after a genocidal pogrom and ethnic cleansing exercise directed against all the peoples of then Eastern Nigerian, culminating in the declaration of the sovereign state of Biafra in 1967 when Biafra was forced to separate from Nigeria. Nigeria immediately declared war on Biafra, blockaded her by land, sea and air and starved more than one million children to death.

When, following the end of the war in 1970, Nigeria resorted back to the same mistreatment of Biafrans that led to the declaration of Biafra in the first place, the will of the people of Biafra to leave Nigeria for good only hardened. Since 1970, Biafra has tried acquiescence to accommodate and be accommodated by Nigeria in the illusory thinking that this would bring reprieve from Nigeria’s harsh treatment, and persecution, and maintain peace. However, Nigeria remained relentless in its vindictive policies against the people of Biafra, and in its total suppression and denial of the basic human rights of Biafrans. This is in spite of the fact that Biafrans tried harder than any other groups to integrate themselves into the Nigerian citizenry and polity, but all to no avail.

In response to this ongoing dehumanization and rejection of Biafrans by Nigeria, MASSOB (the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra), a non-violent movement, was formed, in 1999 with an agenda consistent with the name.

The distinguishing quality of MASSOB is its strict adherence to non-violence, in the tradition of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. MASSOB has sought dialogue with the Nigerian government, but has instead been “rewarded” with unjustified detention and jailing without charge, extrajudicial murder of its membership, constant harassment, and destruction of membership and organizational property by Nigerian Army, Paramilitary Police and security agents. Several other liberation movements have since sprang up.

Chief Ralph Uwazurike, an attorney and the leader of MASSOB, and several high-ranking MASSOB officials, as well as many rank-and-file MASSOB members, and members of other Liberation Movements are currently being held in various Nigerian jails. MASSOB and its leadership as well as these other liberation movements enjoy enormous support of the masses of the people of Biafra.

If Nigeria is safe heaven, why deny the Biafra from going. I think because the Zoo is suffering and need more people to participate in her suffering. Otherwise, if the Zoo is OK , nobody will pray to be free.
Therefore free the Biafraians if that will make them fulfilled.

When we read in Vanguard Newspaper of November 14 2009 a statement credited to the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Chief Ralph: “Igbo marginalization can break up Nigeria” we couldn’t help but experience a fleeting moment of satisfaction and even relief. At last, an Igbo leader is stepping up to the plate; at long last an Igbo leader is showing some spine and may be even balls. May be an Igbo leader will stand up and speak truth to corrupt power; may be Igbo leaders will rise from their moral death beds; may be; just may be.
The statement by Chief Ralph is really not such an earth shattering revelation, or even such a big deal especially as everyone knows that Nigeria is already dead and just waiting to be buried, and especially as Chief Ralph is still talking about building the “Nation” called Nigeria, whatever that means. However, the mere fact that Chief Ralph pointed at just a tiny fraction of the horrific bad faith which the Sokoto Caliphate, and the Hausa Fulani Yoruba oligarchy have displayed towards the Igbo in the half a century existence of so called independent Nigeria is worthy of note. That such a tiny and non-threatening statement evoked even the slightest notice by anyone tells us a lot about the depth of despair the Igbo has suffered in Nigeria. Can you imagine what would have happened if the Cardinals and Bishops in all our churches, world-acclaimed international writers and intellectuals...

Alhaji Shettima Yerima, an activist and president of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) in this interview, blows hot about the way the people of the South-eastern part of Nigeria have been treated by the government, and why he thinks the agitation for Biafra is justified even though it is not the best optionHow did this agitation come this far?

Well, it’s been a very long journey and for people like us, it is not surprising. The agitation for Biafra is not news to us because it has been there over time especially since 1966 with what gave birth to the overthrow of the Aguiyi Ironsi government after the killing of some top leaders. The agitation has been there and that was what led to civil war in 1967 when Odimegwu Ojukwu came on board against the state and the reconciliation in the 1970s. Ever since, there had always been one agitation of the other. But the truth of the matter is that nobody is happy about the situation and all of us felt that it would not augur and it is not even in the best interest of this country for any part to secede now. This is a critical and very challenging time. And it is high time we began looking at the issue critically.

We are only pretending that Nigeria is a nation, it has never been a nation. We just pray that it would become a nation. There are very fundamental issues that need to be addressed by any government in place and, to do that we must apply the principles of equity, justice and fairness to all. The moment we begin to say this group of people must be dealt with decisively because of their mindset or thinking that they are being marginalised, then there is a problemThe government must be seen to be doing justice and discussing issues the way they are. If we continue to pretend that things are normal and people are saying they are not normal and are agitating, one day it might not be funny. In as much as we pretend that things are well, you can see this call for Biafra is getting more popular internationally.

I pray and I pray the leaders begin to see reasons to look at the issues critically. If they feel they are being marginalised and you underestimate and threaten them by arresting them and incarcerating them, just know that the more you do that, the more they get international and local sympathy. At the end of the day, you would be marvelled at what that amounts to. It could metamorphose into something beyond your expectation. Detention and arrests are not the answers to the issue. Issues must be brought forward for discussion. We must disagree to agree so that we can form a nation. We are not yet a nation. Under international laws which Nigeria is signatory to, the right to see for nationhood is guaranteed.

Thus, if people decide that they don’t want to be part of your project, there is nothing you can do about it. Whatever you do is just to buy time. So why don’t you look at the issues the way they are and address them once and for all? This is what I think and it is absolutely my opinion.

Biafra, I hail thee, I promise to be a good citizen of Biafra and do my best to uphold her dignity.

I am not a Biafran and neither am I Igbo. I do however believe that it is the inalienable right of any human being or ethnic nationality to aspire to be free and to be able to determine its own destiny. The right to self-determination is enshrined in international law and it is guaranteed by every moral stricture known to man.

It is a right that has been exercised successfully over and over again in world history and it has led to the creation of new nations which were carved out of older ones. The denial of that right and the suppression and persecution of those who attempt to exercise it leads to nothing but defiance, dissent and resistance and, if not properly managed, it eventually spills over into war and carnage.

This has been the primary cause of most of history’s most brutal civil wars, including the American, Russian, French, English, Indian, Sri Lankan, Sudanese, Nigerian, Angolan, Congolese, Zimbabwean, Yugoslavian, Ukrainian, Nicaraguan, Cuban, Irish, Syrian, Libyan, Indonesian, Korean, Vietnamese, Spanish, Iraqi, Italian, Lebanese ones and countless others. I do not believe in violent change and neither do I believe in war, revolution, terror or the use of arms in the pursuance of even the most noble causes.

I do however believe in the power of ideas and the right of any man, woman or people to yearn to be free from bondage and to peacefully and freely express that yearning. It is in this context that I situate my belief in and support for those that view the Nigerian federation as an oppressive entity which has effectively enslaved its people in an attempt to create what is essentially an artificial and unworkable state.

Those that believe in Nigeria have every right to continue to do so and to voice their resolve to keep Nigeria one. What they do not have the right to do is to refuse to offer the same degree of freedom of expression to those that do not believe in a united Nigeria and who instead believe in the peaceful dissolution of our nation to speak their minds and voice their views. What is good for the goose is surely good for the gander. You cannot grant one side of the divide freedom of expression whilst you deny it to the other.
The Indigenous People of Biafra on a Peaceful Protest over the Arrest of the Director of Radio Biafra yesterday along Ikwerre road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke

FILE PHOTO:The Indigenous People of Biafra on a Peaceful Protest over the Arrest of the Director of Radio Biafra along Ikwerre road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke

This is all the more so because freedom of expression is the lifeblood of any democracy. It must be accorded in equal measure.

I am not a Biafran and neither am I Igbo. I do however believe that it is the inalienable right of any human being or ethnic nationality to aspire to be free and to be able to determine its own destiny. The right to self-determination is enshrined in international law and it is guaranteed by every moral stricture known to man.

It is a right that has been exercised successfully over and over again in world history and it has led to the creation of new nations which were carved out of older ones. The denial of that right and the suppression and persecution of those who attempt to exercise it leads to nothing but defiance, dissent and resistance and, if not properly managed, it eventually spills over into war and carnage.

This has been the primary cause of most of history’s most brutal civil wars, including the American, Russian, French, English, Indian, Sri Lankan, Sudanese, Nigerian, Angolan, Congolese, Zimbabwean, Yugoslavian, Ukrainian, Nicaraguan, Cuban, Irish, Syrian, Libyan, Indonesian, Korean, Vietnamese, Spanish, Iraqi, Italian, Lebanese ones and countless others. I do not believe in violent change and neither do I believe in war, revolution, terror or the use of arms in the pursuance of even the most noble causes.

I do however believe in the power of ideas and the right of any man, woman or people to yearn to be free from bondage and to peacefully and freely express that yearning. It is in this context that I situate my belief in and support for those that view the Nigerian federation as an oppressive entity which has effectively enslaved its people in an attempt to create what is essentially an artificial and unworkable state.

Those that believe in Nigeria have every right to continue to do so and to voice their resolve to keep Nigeria one. What they do not have the right to do is to refuse to offer the same degree of freedom of expression to those that do not believe in a united Nigeria and who instead believe in the peaceful dissolution of our nation to speak their minds and voice their views. What is good for the goose is surely good for the gander. You cannot grant one side of the divide freedom of expression whilst you deny it to the other.
The Indigenous People of Biafra on a Peaceful Protest over the Arrest of the Director of Radio Biafra yesterday along Ikwerre road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke

FILE PHOTO:The Indigenous People of Biafra on a Peaceful Protest over the Arrest of the Director of Radio Biafra along Ikwerre road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke

This is all the more so because freedom of expression is the lifeblood of any democracy. It must be accorded in equal measure.

Massob protest in Port Harcourt… last week

• I’m Against Lugard, Would Die For Biafra — Nnamdi Kanu
• DSS Complicates Kanu’s Detention
• FG Mishandling Free Speech-Intersociety
DID embattled Biafra self-determination activist of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, fly into Nigeria to actualize his declaration that the geographical expression known as Nigeria would cease to exist by September 30, 2015?

The Department of State Services (DSS) arrested the activist on Saturday October 17, 2015 in a Lagos Hotel shortly after he came into Nigeria from his United Kingdom base. He was flown to Abuja where he was also arraigned in a Magistrate court, which granted him bail to the tune of N2m and a surety in the same amount.

However, after perfecting the bail conditions, Kanu could not be produced in court on October 23, being the return date given by the magistrate, even as the DSS did not give reasons for not bringing the activist to court, thus fueling speculations of extra-judicial detention over the separatist comments of the pro-Biafra activist.

Chairman of Intersociety, Emeka Umeagbalasi condemned the extra-judicial detention of Nnamdi Kanu, even as he urged the DSS and Federal Government not to repeat the mishandling of the Yusufiyya movement that led to the extra-judicial killing of the group’s leader, Mohammed Yusuf stressing that Kanu’s fundamental rights should be respected.

In an interview with select journalists in Enugu during the 47th anniversary commemoration of Biafra Day, on May 30, 2014; Kanu projected that by September 30, 2015 Nigeria would cease to exist even as he declared his readiness to fight all the way until Biafra is carved out of Nigeria as a separate republic.

He traced the killings of Igbo people, whom he called the indigenous people of Biafra; in the northern part of the country to the lopsided development and federal superstructure that tended to reward mediocrity to the conspiracy against Igbo, saying that, “injustice makes life unbearable to our people.”

He regretted, for instance, that 47 years after the war, war veterans from the Biafran side had not been paid their allowances like their colleagues, saying; “These men fought under the Coat of Arms of Nigeria. The war broke out and they fought for their country Biafra and they have not been paid. It is a great injustice. It is a continuation of the same injustice that led us to try to extricate ourselves from this Luggard creation called zoological republic of Nigeria. That is why it is very disheartening that you see old men in every blessed month crying and wishing that their money will come to them and nothing happens”.

“As long as the intention and purpose of the amalgamation of North and South were designed to cheat the South,” he went on, “the nation would never move forward, because any country that makes injustice its watch word can never prosper.”
“The Yorubas have been paid, the Hausa Fulani have been paid; then those of them belonging to Biafra have not been paid. It is an injustice that must be addressed and it is part of the reason why we are doing what we are doing because in the new Biafra we would not have this level of injustice”.

He said no amount of national conferences can solve Nigeria’s problems, because of deep-rooted hatred among the different nationalities in the country, adding that the only panacea to Nigeria’s problems is to split it into different regions.

Kanu regretted that despite the declaration of the “No Victor, no Vanquished” outcome of the 30-month Nigeria versus Biafra civil war in 1970, “successive governments had continued to deliberately marginalize and make life unbearable for the Igbo nation and its people”.

While calling on all genuine Igbo people across the globe to rise up and join the crusade of ensuring the emergence of the Biafran Republic, Kanu maintained that it was time for the Igbo to pull out of Nigeria, which according to him is a failed nation where nothing works.

He declared: “There is no going back, by September 2015, Nigeria would have seized to exist; we shall fight until we get Biafra, if they don’t give us Biafra, no human being will remain alive in Nigeria by that time; we shall turn everybody into corpses; you better go and buy your coffins. I wonder how any right thinking fellow would want to remain in a nation where he or she has no stake or recognition. The Igbos would soon move from bondage to the promised land where God has already prepared for them, like the Israelites when they left Egypt.”

Decrying the sufferings and agonies being faced by ordinary Nigerians as a result of corruption and bad governance, Kanu asserted: “It is the watershed in the history of the geographical expression called Nigeria. It is the aftermath of the mistake of the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates by Lord Lugard. Nigeria is doomed, especially since the country is driven by world-acclaimed selfish and corrupt leaders, who do not believe in the wellbeing of the poor masses.”

Battling Elite Aloofness
BEFORE his latest travails in the hands of the DSS, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, had been at war with his former comrades in the Movement for Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and some Igbo elite, who saw his agitation as juvenile attempt to rehash history.

Yet, despite elite public rejection of any attempt to resurrect secessionist designs in the South East geopolitical zone, the resurgence of pro-Biafra organisations in the area has continued with incredible passion just as the Police and other security agencies continue to clamp down on them.

For instance, last year, barely 24 hours after the South-East Governors’ Forum (SEGF) rose from its meeting in Enugu to condemn the attempt by another separatist group, Biafran Zionist Federation (BZF) to seize the Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) radio and television station to declare a Republic of Biafra, the cenotaph built by Nnamdi Kanu’s IPOB was destroyed by unknown persons.

In a communiqué signed by Governors Theodore Orji, Martin Elechi, Sullivan Chime and Deputy Governors of Anambra and Imo States, Dr. Nkem Okeke and Eze Madumere respectively, the SEGF had distanced themselves from activities of the pro-Biafran group recalling how it attempted to invade Enugu State Government House to hoist its flag.

The then chairman of SEGF, Governor Orji, who read the communiqué to journalists said they were totally against such a move to declare a State of Biafra stressing that’ “We condemned the attempt by the so-called Biafra Zionist Federation led by one Benjamin Igwe Onwuka, who earlier attempted to gain entry into government house, for the purpose of hoisting their flag and for invading the ESBS on Thursday, 5th June, 2014 in an attempt to take over the media house and declare the state of Biafra.”

Supremacy Battle
WHEN the Biafran Heroes Cenotaph at Ngwo, Enugu; was destroyed accusing fingers were also pointed I the direction of the MASSOB, which leader, Raph Uwazurike, was alleged to have sent the over 30 young men that destroyed the cement sculptures constructed by IPOB.

Though the MASSOB leader, Chief Raph Uwazuruike could not respond to the allegations that his men destroyed the multi-million cenotaph, sources close to the MASSOB leader disclosed that Uwazuruike was peeved at the effrontery of IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to raise a rival group to fight the cause of Biafra.
The source alleged that Kanu’s offence against Unwazurike was that he allegedly embezzled the sum of N4 million given to him by Uwazuruike to set up Radio Biafra, adding that Kanu fled the country abandoning his wedding ceremony when MASSOB members invaded his hometown in Umuahia to hold him to account for the money.

But the IPOB leader, Kanu, denied the allegations, saying that Uwazuruike sent his men to destroy the cenotaph that cost millions of naira out of envy, adding that “Uwazuruike destroyed the Ngwo monument because he could not build one; he knows if he builds one he will die because he is a liar and deceiver.”

While pointing out that he has done what Uwazuruike could not do, Kanu stressed, “we have raised Biafrans in over 88 countries while he is only relevant in Okwe; he is a thug for politicians and not a freedom fighter.”

On the allegation of embezzlement the IPOB leader exclaimed, “Embezzled four million naira? Lol! How can I embezzle money to run Radio Biafra? Stupid black people who can’t reason properly; I did not embezzle any money. I became bankrupt because of what I put into Radio Biafra, lies and liars.”

Buhari Versus Igbo
RELATIONS between the Federal Government headed by President Muhammadu Buhari and Nd’Igbo have not been smooth as a state of mutual suspicion and disdain underpins the relationship because while President Buhari believes that Igbo do not like him, Nd’Igbo accuse the president of punishing them for not voting for him during elections.

Igbo leaders, especially the Igbo Leaders of Thought, led by Prof. Ben Nwabueze, have continued to complain against the lopsided appointments made by President Buhari, saying that out of desire to pursue vendetta against Igbo, the president has been flouting constitutional provisions and tenets of Nigeria’s federalism.

In a communiqué by ILT after its meeting in Enugu Saturday, the group decried President Buhari’s one man rule, saying the president’s leadership style “had generated much tension and retardation as well as serious retardation of the economy, social dislocation, insecurity and polarization along ethnic and religious lines.”

Part of the communiqué read: “The ILT noted that five months since he was sworn in President Buhari has not been able to form a government but has continued to rule alone. The ILT noted that the President Buhari has violated the Constitution of the country in so many ways, including the appointments he has made so far.

“The ILT noted that President Buhari’s one man rule has generated much tension in the land, and has caused serious retardation of the economy, social dislocation, insecurity and polarization along ethnic and religious lines. The ILT supports the fight against corruption provided it is not selective and subject to constitutional limitations on power, especially limitations arising from our federal system and the guarantee of civil and political rights.

“The ILT reminds the President that the main problem of the country today is the national question, which demands, among other things, the restructuring of the federation, and calls on him to set up immediately the machinery for the purpose and for the implementation of the 2014 National Conference resolution. The ILT noted that Igbo young men who are protesting against brazen injustices against Ndigbo are being hounded. The ILT would like to remind the President that the constitution of this country guarantees freedom of expression, manifested particularly in lawful protests, as a fundamental right.”

DSS Complicates Kanu’s Detention, FG Mishandling Free Speech-Intersociety
CHAIRMAN of Board of Trustees of International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) Mr. Emeka Umeagbalasi, has cautioned the Federal Government not to repeat the mistake it made in the extra-judicial killing of the leader of the Yusufiyya Movement, Mohammed Yusuf, which snowballed into Boko Haram insurgency.

Commenting on the handling of the arrest, detention and secret arraignment of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Radio Biafra (RB) Nnamdi Kanu the Intersociety activist disclosed that the mishandling and persecution of the Biafran self-determination activist has fueled much international outcry and concern, stressing that the “torrential calls made to us and concerns expressed by millions of Nigerians, the media and foreign nationals and bodies over the ongoing ordeal of detained Citizen Nnamdi Kanu”, leave a mixed feeling of sadness and joy.

In a statement made available to The Guardian, Intersociety stated: “We are sad because a new potentially dangerous dimension has been introduced into the ordeal of the detained Biafran self-determination activist. His detention has now graduated from judicial detention to extra-judicial detention.
“That is to say that he is no longer being detained on the orders of the named Magistrate Court upon the Court’s harshly imposed bail conditions; rather, he is now detained extra-judicially according to administrative and operational whims and caprices of DSS. These administrative and operational whims and caprices lately deployed by the DSS are totally unknown to the principles of the rule of law, constitutional democracy, the 1999 Constitution and local and international human rights and humanitarian norms.”

The rights group added: “On the other hand, we are happy because, it is triumphantly necessary to inform the world that the harsh and draconian bail conditions so imposed have been met by Citizen Kanu‘s lawyers and associates as at Tuesday, 2oth October 2015, leading to filing of all necessary papers and completion of their processes in good time.

“The DSS ought to or was expected to have completed its verification process by Thursday, 22nd October 2015 and caused Citizen Nnamdi Kanu to be released in compliance with the order of the Abuja Municipal Magistrate Court, dated 19th October 2015. This, the DSS failed woefully to do till date.
“Upon meeting all draconian bail conditions so attached leading to refusal by the DSS to release the detained Biafran self-determination activist, the Presiding Magistrate made an express Production Order on Friday, 23rd October 2015 for the DSS to produce Citizen Nnamdi Kanu before his Court same date and explain why it failed to release the detained activist upon meeting the imposed bail conditions.”

While noting that Citizen Nnamdi Kanu should be set free or be tried fairly before a court of superior records or competent jurisdiction under laws clearly written with expressly defined penalties tailored in international human rights and humanitarian norms, Intersociety declared: “Our heart is further gladdened because Citizen Nnamdi Kanu was allowed for hours to meet with his lawyer, Egechukwu Obetta, in good health with access to food of fair health, hygienic and delicious standard as well as access to physician.

Intersociety lamented that “various signs of triggers of constitutional dictatorship have continuously been on increase in Nigeria since June 1, 2015 with the most shocking being collective silence or leprous opinions of the hitherto mainstream civil society of the Southwest zone.”

“Our several studies of the root causes of African dictatorship clearly indicate that dictatorship is often made possible by collective silence or misguided quietness and conformism of attentive public including professional bodies in natural and social science disciplines, labour leaders, academia, church leaders, media and rights based civil society organizations and their leaders and the Civil Society.

“Recent experiences have also shown that the doctrine of checks and balances is no longer situated among the executive, the legislative and the judiciary arms of government, but strictly between these three arms of government on one part and the civil society on the other. The collective quietness of the civil society in constitutional democracy is a clear recipe for constitutional dictatorship,” the statement further noted.

While noting that constitutional dictatorship goes beyond elongation of tenure of office to include rapacious turning of the State coercive institutions or establishment against the ordinary or common citizens and members of dissent community, Intersociety declared: “If the excesses of President Muhammadu Buhari administration are condoned and shepherded by those destined to speak out on account of civil society-opposition (former) conspiratorial demographic theory and national cake, their safety and comfort are at risk.

“Running a government of vendetta or vindictiveness clearly amounts to laying a foundation of intractable sectional discords and social fragmentation and intractable violence of tomorrow. Nobody stays in the corridors of power forever and there is even a limit to political harlotry or leprosy. Political wounds have never been healed by their direct or indirect perpetrators by running from pillar to pole using vicarious liability mantra placed upon the heads of their former terror bosses as blame game.”
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The chairman of International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law (Inter-society), Chief Umegbalasi, on Tuesday October 20, reacted to the continued detention of the director of Biafra Radio and leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOD), Nnamdi Kanu who was widely reported to have been released on bail.

Director of the Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu

Speaking to Naij.com Umegbalasi said the bone of contention in the case of Nnamdi Kanu is not his arrest but the grounds upon which he was arrested.

It was widely reported yesterday that Nnamdi Kanu was released on bail but has not been able to meet his bail conditions.

“This is democracy, let me tell you nobody is above arrest. The only person that cannot be arrested is the president, vice president and governors because of the immunity clause.

“It is not the issue of arrest that is the bone of contention, the bone of contention is the ground upon which the man was arrested. If you go to section 36 ( 36 (12) of the 1999 constitution, they are very clear that you cannot arrest a citizen without tracing a crime to the citizen,” Umegbalasi said.

Kanu, was reportedly arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) some few hours after he got into Nigeria from the United Kingdom (U.K), on Saturday, October 17.

Fielding questions on the allegations by prominent Nigerians that the UK based director of the Radio Biafra has been using the radio station for selfish and ‘anti-nationhood’ reasons, Umegbalasi suggested that since the federal government has not come out to say the exact offence Kanu has committed they have no reason to arrest him.

Arresting him without saying the reason, Umegbalasi continued, will amount to infringing on his fundamental human right.

“If you are talking of propaganda or anything like that all those things must be grounded in criminal law. If you do anything in the contrary it amounts to trial by ordeal or jungle justice.

“The constitution frowns at it. You must not arrest somebody without telling the person the offense under which the person is being arrested. The Nigerian government failed to tell Nigerians why he was arrested.

“While he was arrested the Nigerian government kept mute, which is an indicator of the past military inglorious approach. When you arrest somebody under constitutional democracy you tell Nigerians that we are holding this man and this is what he has done,” Umegbalasi said.

Umegbalasi also queried reports that Kanu is on bail adding that information at his disposal does not suggest so.

“As I speak to you, there is a news that he is on bail and it is not true. The office of the Co-ordinators of the co-coordinators, (a part of the group organogram) confirmed from his base in United Kingdom that Nnamdi is still in the custody of the federal government,” Umegbalasi said.

The chairman then called on the federal government to release and apologize to Nnamdi Kanu without delay.

“What Inter-society is telling the FG is that they should charge him (Kanu) to court. And if they don’t want to charge him to court it will mean that they are holding him without recourse to any crime that is known to Nigerian law.

“They should release him unconditionally and apologize to him. That is the message to the federal government. As I speak now the man is still there.”

The national co-ordinator of the non-governmental group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), Emmanuel Onwubiko also flayed the federal government for detaining Nnamdi Kanu.

He said: “He has not done anything anti-nationhood. The radio station we are talking about is it in Nigeria? Didn’t the federal government told Nigerians that the radio station has been locked up. When they were doing campaigns, didn’t you hear all manners of speeches in Hausa language?”

Onwubiko also said nobody can disrupt the struggle for self-realization unless a referendum is conducted.

“Nobody can quench the Biafra struggle, the only thing the government can do is to organize a referendum. But the government that we have right now don’t have that kind of political will. They won’t do it be because they like the status quo. A time will come when we will have a listening government and that time we may have a referendum to find out how many people of southeast origin are in support of the struggle.

“It is a fundamental human right. You that you are speaking now, you can stand up today and say you don’t want to be a Nigerian and walk away. It is in the constitution. You can walk away. A group can also walk away. It is now left for the Nigerian government to conduct a referendum because under international law, agitation for statehood is allowed.”

Meanwhile, a source close to IPOD said that the Directorate of State, which is the highest decision making body of the organization had met and will soon be issuing a statement on their resolution and next line of action.

Also, the leader of the Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, Ralph Uwazuruike, on Monday, October 19, disowned the embattled director saying he does not belong to the Biafra movement.

Please move this to front page

rhymaster:
Pls shoot at the police and wound just one and you would see the phantom so-called Asaba massacre would be a child's toy play! Everything moving or dead will be killed 10 times over and I hope 10X more than Asaba gets server to you ijiots and hope you are there to catch 1000 rounds of the billets! Useless Ipob youth!

So you are aware the Nigerian government under the Hausa regime masacred the Asaba unarmed civilian,
So you know what the Hausa and their supporters did to civilians that are not armed in Asaba.
So you have the enfoutry to recount this unholy act of ur government against the people of Asaba.
I tell you becos of this your statement, Biafra shall stand and I am ready personally to fight for them, since you have the gut to recount one of the incident that claimed the life of one of my brother.
The Asaba civilian were killed in cold blood, but never again will any body that seek for self determination be killed in cold blood and go scout free. For every Asaba man your people killed shall be visited upon you in due time.
Mark my word.