₦airaland Forum

Igboid:
Are from Ibeno or Eastern Obolo?

eeetuk:
Why Ibom Republic will Become Reality
By eeetuk

Experience gained from Biafran defeat by Nigerian army in 1967-70 civil war will help Akwa Ibom State to exit Nigeria and become an Independent Nation. Biafran war was built on sham evidence, greed, lack of connection between Ibo leaders and none Ibos, leaders from Ibo went alone, the war itself was seen as ethnic driven, and did not gain wider support outside Ibo tribe. These are the things Ibom leaders have learned and would have to avoid—going forward.


Whereas, Ibom Republic leaders’ rationale is grounded on facts—which can be demonstrated in real time, not hear say or rumor.


For an example, a report in Nairaland website on June 19, 2021 stated that a group of Akwa Ibom coalition leaders had reached out to the United Nations both in a written document and video presentations to argue that it wants to break away from Nigeria.

God bless them!
And according to the document presented to the United Nations, the leaders proposed that the new country will be called "Ibom Republic”. Marginalization of Akwa Ibom state citizens both by the current and past governments of Nigeria is the principal rationale for seeking exit from Nigeria, the document noted.


Notification of the United Nations by citizens of Akwa Ibom State leaders in writing of its intention to break away from Nigeria is significant for many reasons. First, leaders made the case in public. Second, the notice to break away from Nigeria is both in writing and video. Third, the evidence of marginalization as alleged in the document is damning—suggesting guilt conduct by the Nigerian authority.


Evidence supporting marginalization of citizens of Akwa Ibom State citizens by current and past Nigerian government is overwhelming. In 1999 when Obansanjo got elected, no Akwa Ibom state citizen was appointed to serve in the top level of his government. Then, after President Obasanjo exited power in 2007--2015 and the new administration of Yar’Adua took over, Akwa Ibom state citizens were noticeable excluded from top level government appointees. And in 2015 to 2021 when Mohammad Buhari got elected, the exclusion of Akwa Ibom State from top level government appointees continued.

Who will tolerate this kind of discrimination? That is the question Ibom leaders have raised and found answer unacceptable.


And here is the thing, Nigeria annual budget shows that over 60% of revenues budgeted each year come from Akwa Ibom state oils sales and Natural gas. Yet, when you examine distribution of federal programs funded by the Nigerian authority, zero program or project goes to Akwa Ibom State. And when you compare Akwa Ibom State to other states like those in Southwest, Southeast and Northern Nigeria geopolitical zones [these are states which contribute nothing to Nigeria treasury], these states consumed 99% of revenues generated from Akwa Ibom State oils and Natural gas sales, Akwa Ibom state zero. That is unfair.


No reasonable person will tolerate unfair treatment that the citizens of Akwa Ibom State people have received from the Nigerian authority. That is why my confidence about Akwa Ibom state gaining independence from Nigeria is very high.

My recommendation
If you are a citizen of Akwa Ibom Republic, please find ten people and form a group to raise money to make Ibom Republic a reality. The United Nations head office is in New York City, USA. We need world class lawyers to make presentations to members states at the UN for us to be successful.


Remember how Eritrea break away from Ethiopia? And you remember how Sudan split into South/North Sudan. Their success came from hiring world class lawyers. We cannot make the same mistakes Biafran made in the 1960-70 civil war—going alone and unprepared.


Nigeria is not our country—OBJ, Yar’Adua/Jonathan and Buhari administrations have made this known both in public and private.


Thank you all and welcome to Ibom Republic—a country where dreams will be realized and memories last forever.

SlayerForever:
Niger Delta Republic: Boro did not fight for you.

This is not a piece to malign the young nationalist, in fact it bears praise in many ways. We will take a look at the historic declaration of February 23, 1966 (Niger Delta Republic) and why today's proponents are missing the point.

Due to rising tensions across the Nigeria state, exacerbated by Fulani attacks on other ethnicities, many debates continue to rage across the Nigerian sphere as to whether the country should remain one, or be divided. This is due to the fact that the Fulani marauders are perceived to have the protection of the Nigerian (Fulani controlled) federal government. Hence there seems to be little succour in sight. And this despair has begun to drive secessionist calls across Nigeria in recent times. Of the various (secessionist) agitations rocking the country, there is an agitation for a Niger Delta republic (we will use NDR as we progress).

It is pertinent to note that this new call (for a Niger Delta republic) has not left the discussion stage unlike some other agitations across Nigeria, noteworthy mentions being the Biafran agitation which now receives international coverage (with no follow up so far from the international community), and the agitation for Oduduwa republic (which continues to face heavy scrutiny from local observers as it is rumored to be a ploy to arm twist the federal government into handing power to the region in the next general elections).

Both noteworthy mentions are now in active forms, while the agitation for a Niger Delta republic remains at a "derived" level i.e it is only mentioned as a means of disassociating from the Biafran agitation because the territories argued by some Biafran proponents remain debatable. This would make the NDR agitation take a semblance of an unserious agitation. Nonetheless, unserious or not, its proponents argue feverishly in favor of the said, would be republic, whenever called upon. To drive home their point they argue that the Niger Delta republic was the first secessionist movement to rock Nigeria (in Feb 1966) led by the nationalist Adaka Boro. Historically true in general. But not accurate when scrutinized closely.

The NDR agitation as led by Adaka Boro is nothing like the NDR as feverishly argued by its proponents today. In fact, both are so divergent that attempting to marry both without fully understanding background and context is laughable, even downright silly. From 1963 Adaka Boro began to champion a cause against the Nigerian government (for greater control of the oil resources domiciled in his home area) whom he felt were cheating the indigenous people, from whose lands Nigeria was making huge proceeds, with little or nothing to show in terms of development. He would continue championing this cause for the following years to come. However, for some reason, around 1965 (or earlier) he would interestingly begin frolicking with the antagonists in the central government. He would entangle himself so much with strange bedfellows that on instigation from Balewa (head of the central government and erstwhile foe) Boro would begin to shift blame to the then Eastern region's government as the cause of his people's plight. Things would take a turn after the military takes over in January of 1966. Boro would go from brilliant activist to armed rebel leader, forming a militia to fight the military government. Why Boro chose the critical period of a fresh military takeover, to take up arms against the state seems sketchy. However, with benefit of hindsight it now seems foolhardy. However in his fight against the government for greater resource control, which culminated in the declaration of a breakaway Niger Delta republic, his own area has gone from enjoying a 50% benefits derivation from oil proceeds in the then Eastern region (whose leadership he had now made the target of his aspersions) to 13% in Nigeria today. That is to say his area has become worse off. Adding to worsen the situation, is the fact that vast areas of the environment, over 50 years on, have become heavily polluted from oil spills. No development. Nothing. Boro would be turning in his grave. However, this fall in fortunes in spite of Boro's agitation (and his later frolicking with the central government), is a piece of historical information the proponents deliberately ignore. Perhaps out of shame or a lack of superior argument.

Another historical piece of information which some proponents of NDR fail to put into consideration (or are completely ignorant of) is the territory of the NDR declared by the nationalist Boro. Boro who was quite intelligent, recognized the complex nature of the coastal areas (where the bulk of oil resources was gotten) of the then Eastern region. He discovered and recognized the loose inter-relationships between the numerous ethnicities, which was evident in their various divergent perspectives, difference in value systems. Difference in aspirations and allegiances. Aspirations and allegiances he realized he could never truly control. Hence, he would make the smartest choice, which was to opt for a territory whose destiny he could forge: a nearly homogeneous Ijaw country (likely with one or two closely related ethnicities in and around the area). Pix attached below. Important to note, is the fact that the pseudonym Niger Delta was actually a brilliant, well thought out name the country he would later declare. This is because the Ijaw areas, of interest to him, mostly, if not completely, fall into the Delta area of the great River Niger, with its over hundreds tributaries bubbling with rich biodiversity. Pix attached below. Very apt name. However this key consideration is overlooked by today's NDR proponents.

Another point, as already highlighted above is the peoples of interest in Boro's NDR. He fought mainly for the Ijaw peoples. Perhaps not strictly. But surely, with the understanding of the terrain and the peoples therein, it was a no brainer to take his Ijaw people as focus. Today's proponents either willfully or ignorantly fail to see this. In many a fora it is common to see people from ethnicities with no known connection to Boro's Ijaw, either historically, geographically or culturally, argue vehemently in favor of a NDR. This is a sociopolitical anomaly for several reasons, chief amongst them being that a workable political (inclusive) set up for this new NDR (spanning foreign lands and unrelated peoples with strongly divergent worldviews) remains elusive to achieve in theory, much less in practice. Proponents from ethnicities with no verifiable mutuality with the Ijaw peoples, in worldview or ambition, are found clamoring for something they have a poor understanding of. Nations are not created on a whim or they become unworkable a little period afterwards. In these various fora, it gets even worse as one can see Igboid ethnicities in the South South region chanting for NDR. The same NDR that was declared by a man who was unhappy with (the illusion of) "Igbo domination" in the Eastern region. A man who by deduction, could be said to be fighting the Igbo. Yet Igbo people in the South South region, in a crass display of ignorance chant for NDR. What an irony. Many of these ethnic Igbos today in the South South are ignorant of the fact that Rivers state when newly created in 1967, was an Ijaw controlled state. The Igboid ethnic groups who found themselves in the new Ijaw dominated Rivers state were dealt with severely by the Ijaw in power. The Ijaws, extremely jubilant and ecstatic to have a state in their control, literally crushed the Igbo peoples therein into submission. All this is verifiable and well documented, not hearsay. This is not to taint any group of person or indeed ethnicity. Just setting the records straight.

Another issue sprouting from stark ignorance from today's NDR agitators, is the choice of the "Niger Delta" name. The name as popularized by the nationalist Boro was apt for the terrain he had in mind: the majorly Ijaw terrain resting on the Delta of the great River Niger. Proponents from other areas who clamor for a nation with the name "Niger Delta" are poorly informed. The following territories as listed, which include the Ibibio areas, Cross River, Rivers, Anioma, Urhobo areas, Benin area, are infact territorially outside the Niger Delta. In simple terms, they are outsiders to the true Niger Delta area. Flying such name for the would be country would be a national heritage error and would insinuate that the Ijaw peoples are the custodians of the would be NDR, to which the others must kowtow. This could prove to backfire if the enthroned custodians decide to (solely or mostly) determine all affairs of state, as they would have the greatest claim to nationhood, power and influence. This could be solved though, if there are agreements to run an all inclusive style of governance. Interestingly though, in the mean time, none of the proponents today give thought, or make mention of such critical considerations. They appear blind to this latent issues.

In discussions and considerations going forwards it would be in the interest of NDR proponents who are outside the true Niger Delta (Ijaw) territory, to critical investigate or deliberate on these few salients points because in the NDR struggle of 1966 during the 12 day revolution, the nationalist, Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro, did not fight for you.

ogododo:
Wetin?

Fweshest3:
Tell your boss to reduce your pay cus you are doing a very poor job. For your information, referendum will stop this nonsense. It's gonna be one man, one vote. So u claiming ss and Niger delta (which I'm not even sure) will only have one vote on that. The majority will carry the day. Weather u like It or not, we are all Biafrans and we are all going with our igbos brothers.

pussyphilia:
Op, you are OYO ooo.

I am from anioma in Delta state. I am a core igboman! I am a Biafra.

My dad can slit some body's thr0at if anybody calls him abok1. He is a Biafran and proud of his Igbo heritage!

Hunchogee:
[/b]South South Niger Delta will never join biafra[b]

I came across this beautiful piece from by atbu1983 and I feel to share it with all of you..
Igbo are using the support they gave to Jonathan in 2015 election as blackmail to convert Niger delta struggle to biafra. Niger delta struggle is resource control and true federalism. This deception will not work. They only supported Jonathan because they got alot of appointments under Jonathan. They are just selfish and greedy people. Niger Delta Struggle is completely different from biafra agitation. Igbo supported Obasanjo against thier own son and hero Ojukwu in 2003 election, they should go and claim yoruba instead.

As far as I am concern Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa are all benefiting from the current system. After all an Igbo man Gen Agunyi Ironsi created the Unitary System for Nigeria in 1966 that we are complaining against today. Gen Agunyi Ironsi set the foundation for the destruction of regional federalism in Nigeria. if not for his love for total control and domination (The disease of an average Igbo man), Niger delta would have be enjoying 50% resource control today. When Isaac Adaka Boro wanted to form Ijaw Nation Republic in 1966 it was Igbo Head of State Gen Agunyi Ironsi that fought him with a 12 day war.

The Igbo claim to be one of us because some South South states were part of the old Eastern region. First of all, eastern region was created by Nigeria for Nigeria convenience. It was not a decision of the nationalities that made up the old eastern region. Secondly before most people forget, today Edo and Delta state were never at anytime part of eastern region. Edo and Delta states were first part of Western region later became Midwestern region, then change to Bendel state before becoming Edo and Delta state today. Some tribes speak Yoruba in Edo and Delta state. Why is yoruba not claiming Edo and Delta state the way igbo is claiming Rivers and Delta states because some people speak ibo in those states?

Igbo may have succeeded in brainwashing some South South people that they are one of us, it is a big lie. They may have succeeded in brainwashing some of us that only hausa and yoruba is the problem of South South, it is a big lie. They are the same as far as I am concern.

The problem with Igbo is greed, self-entitlement and born to rule, control and exploit mentality. Qatar is smaller than Bayelsa in population and half d size of Bayelsa state by landmass. Bayelsa is four times the size of Singapore. if Qatar and Singapore can be a country, why cant we have an Ijaw nation as a country? Do u think Ijaw people dont want to be like Qatar and enjoy their oil alone like Qatar does? Note: Bayelsa State is d smallest state in the south south by population and second to the last by landmass!!


[/b]Below is the size of south south states and south east states. South South is almost 3 times the size of south East.
Yet the population of South east is almost 80% of south south population base on 2006 census. But by the time you add igbo who are currently leaving outside south east, you will discover that thier population is more than all the south south put together. More than 90% of the resources (oil, gas, limestones,etc) are in the south south. The whole of South East is landlock with no direct access to the sea or atlantic ocean. but almost all the south south states have direct assess to the sea and atlantic ocean. Some will say they have River Niger. River Niger is not a sea or an ocean for big Ships.

Tell me why South South Nations will want to form a country with south east if they have a choice ? all south east will bring to the table is population and domination? The total oil production from south east is not up to 10% of south south oil production![b]

If you are the leader of south south nations will you advice them to form a country with south east if they have the option of forming their own country alone? give a sincere answer!!

As far as I am concern, as unbrainwashed south south , there is no difference between the Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa. To me, these are three major tribe struggling and fighting for Supiriority. Whenever any of the three is loosing, he shout marginalization.

During Jonathan govt, the Igbos were gaining and were in control and were happy. The Yoruba were losing and were shouting marginalization. The hausa/fulani were not happy because they were not fully in control. For the North we can slightly understand because in the 16years of democracy (May 1999 to May 2015) the south ruled 13.3years while the North had just 2.7years[b][/b]

The Igbo don't love south south more than the hausa or Yoruba love us. All the three tribe are all struggling for the control of south south oil. None of the three is better than the other as far as we south south are concern.

The only place south south nationalities agree with Igbo is Nigeria should divide . However while south south clamour for succession is base on lack of true fiscal Federalism and resource control, on the other hand, igbo clamour for succession is base on IGBO BORN TO RULE, CONTROL AND EXPLOIT MENTALITY. Igbo make noise and claim d north have born to rule mentality because of Sokoto State former licence plate motto of born to rule which they have change. The People with the true born to rule mentality are d Igbo. it is because they are not having thier way that they are complaining and making all d noise all over Nigeria.

But how and why Nigeria will and should divide, what we want and what they want is as different as d distance of the earth to d moon.

South south want resource control or thier own freedom. we will support Biafra as Igbo only nation while they should support us to form our own nation or nations. But trying to add us as an appendage to Biafra will never happen.

If south south join Biafra, our individual identities will be wiped out in less than 50years. They will convert every south south nationality to Igbo. And they will so much take charge of the oil and resources with reckless abandon without any regard to d minorities.

LET EVERYONE FORMS HIS OWN NATION IF WE CAN'T GET 50% RESOURCE CONTROL. SOUTH SOUTH NATIONS DONT WANT IGBO, YORUBA OR HAUSA IN THIER NATION. WE DONT WANT ANY DOMINANT TRIBE TO CONTROL US IF OR WHEN NIGERIA DIVIDE.

They will argue that there are some igbo in rivers state, delta state and edo state. As far as i am concern Igbo speaking people in south south will join Niger delta republic or confederation. Their are Hausa people in Niger, there are Yoruba people in Benin Republic and Togo. Does that make those yoruba and hausa speaking people in those countries Nigerians?

The south south nationalities can form a confederation with United Arab Emirate template, where seven different nationalities came together to form a confederation with each nationality having some form of autonomy.

if the south east want to join the confederation they can join. We can't leave nigeria and go and form another normal single country were there is a dominant tribe. That will be moving from frying pan to fire.

Just like the United Ararb emirate asked qatar and behrain to join them, but qatar and behrain choose to form thier individual countries.

What Biafra represent is a single country with a powerful centre where a dominant tribe can control. South south dont want that. If we must fight or struggle for succession, we need a new name like "United State of niger delta" or any other name which clearly shows a union rather than a single country.

We need to set the record straight before south south nations make the mistake of south Sudan. It is more than Four years south sudan left
sudan to form thier country. Since that time south sudan has been in War while North Sudan enjoy peace. This was because nations in
south sudan came together to form a single country without ensuring that thier difference in ethnicity was fully discuss. Some
part of south sudan are now feeling marginalized. That is exactly what will happen if Igbo succeed in forcing south south nations into
Biafra. That so called Biafra wont have peace. It will be another Somalia!!!!

For peace to rain let Igbo form Biafra from the Five south east state and let the the six states in south south form a confederation or seperate nations. Anything outside this will never work.

I do not hate Igbo people. Many of my friends are Igbo. I only hate thier deceit and greed. what is good for the goose is good for the gander.
What we dont want is a dominant tribe simple. If south south join Biafra, that country will be 60% Igbo. How do you think other minorities can compete in that kind of country? Whether we like it or not we both know that Igbo are not diplomatic people by nature. That will lead to complete extinction of other tribe. in less than 50years they will make the whole Biafra Ibo without any consideration.

I dont hate Igbo. But i hate when i know the Biafra they seek is a Biafra with current south south as an appendage to it.
Why cant they support our freedom, and we will support thier freedom. Why do igbo make it look like it is wrong for Niger Delta people to seek thier own freedom outside Biafra? In biafra current south south minority will be like conquered people. God forbid that to happen.

a quote from Isaac Adaka Boro Autobiography (wriiten himself). Read Chapter 5 - Campus Politics
http://www.adakaboro.org/the12dayrev/chapter-5-campus-politics.
This was the campaign statement of his opponent for UNN SUG presidency:
"My opponent, Ejiogu, took the floor when I had finished, and what did he say? "Ladies and gentleman, this is a crucial time in Nigeria when we should not allow a vocal minority to rule an obvious majority.
These words still ring in my memory because, as my opponent put it, they are crucial not only to me but to my people, the Ijaws. Most of the alien students walked out of the hall and it seemed as if a spell was cast on the atmosphere. The campaigns ended solemnly and the result of the election was again one way. Ejiogu won with his majority. The last minute strategy. A Cameroonian friend of mine, John Ngole, promptly resigned his secretaryship of the Historical Society in protest."

I am very sure that Nigeria will divide faster if Igbo seek Biafra with 5 south east state alone and Niger delta republic seek a country with the 6 South south states alone at the same time. Once the Hausa and Yoruba sees that Igbo are supporting a Niger Delta republic separate from Biafra, they will see it as true struggle. But if the struggle is about Biafra with south south in it, where Igbo will gain south south resources with Yoruba and Hausa loosing out, I bet you until South South oil finishes, Nigeria wont divide.

If we cant get resource control, we don't need to form a single country with Igbo, we can seek for our separate nation on two front simultaneously but not on one front. What we need is cooperation from Igbo not togetherness with Igbo. If they truly want to leave Nigeria and liberate Niger delta people from dominant tribes, they should support us to form our nation as they form thiers. I bet you when that happen, the struggle will be half won.

The Ojukwu Biafra was Igbo dream not Ijaw, Esan, Urhobo, Itsekiri, Ikwerre, ogoni, ibibio, etc dream.

In summary, my point is that why the primary interest of Niger Deltans is resource control, Igbo primary interest is seperation from Nigeria with Niger delta as thier trophy. Igbo wants a nation where they can become the lord, control and dominate others. Since in Nigeria, Hausa and yoruba are ahead of them in the power struggle, they resort to blackmail and cry foul claiming marginalization.

if Nigeria will divide peacefully by United Nations referendum, south south will not join Biafra. Peaceful division of Nigeria can only be into a minimum of five countries (Arewa republic, Niger Middle belt, United Niger Delta, Oduwa republic, and Biafra). South South will form its own nation/nations. The only way south south and south east will form a single country like Biafra is if Nigeria divide by War because population will be important in size of Army.

My Igbo neighbour may not like this submission, but it is the bitter truth
[/b] for Akwa ibomites all we need is Ibom people's republic[b]
@lalasticlala south south need to hear this FP

infoxpress:
Police shows off Arms, charms, communication devices, branded clothes, flags, and other items recovered from arrested IPOB members

https://www.instagram.com/p/CQWje24DoJu/?utm_medium=copy_link

Watch video here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfjX7yLurVY