It seems like, of late, I have been running into (and reading) too many articles about Biafra. Maybe it's because of the continued incarceration of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu (which I think the Nigerian Federal Government has to fix as soon as possible) or just because the question of Biafra has loomed large in various stages of my life so far - especially considering I'm a Nigerian Igbo man. Let me just right out say (for the benefit of those who don't like reading long articles) that I'm not in support of a Biafra. And for those who are patient enough to read and comprehend before responding, here are my reasons why:Read more…

1) THERE IS NO PLAN FOR BIAFRA: It's funny how I hear a lot of Igbo people talk about Biafra and how wonderful it would be and how much better than Nigeria it would be - but not a lot of people exactly know what it would be, how it would run, the system of government it would adopt, how it would manage its resources and generate revenue - in essence, all it's plans for the present and the future. Even those I've engaged to tell me exactly what the plan for Biafra is have not been able to come up with one largely unified blueprint for a country they are clamouring about. And that's the absolute worst way to run a country. Why? Because the leaders would run the country whichever way they see fit because even the citizens don't know how it should be run. Anyone knows this is not a good idea because it would lead to a pseudo-authoritarian state where the leaders' words are law because they make the rules and not the people.

Also, it's funny to think that we, the Igbo people have not come together to agree on what we want for ourselves, how we want to achieve it and within what time frame we hope to achieve those goals. We just want a country first before thinking of how that country would actually work. You know who else did that? South Sudan. See how well it turned out for them. The country is still mired in strife and conflict IN SPITE of getting the secession they clamoured for - because they never agreed on what exactly their country would be and how it would run. This is like a child seeing a toy in a supermarket and asking its parents to buy it without knowing exactly what the toy is supposed to do. However, unlike the child and the toy, the handing a people a country they haven't properly planned for is way costlier and has way more lasting consequences.

https://anigerianrealist./2017/04/21/why-i-think-a-biafra-may-not-work-at-least-not-right-now/

2) "BIAFRANS" ARE STILL, ESSENTIALLY, NIGERIANS: At times I hear people talk about Nigeria and Biafra like we across the Niger act differently from those on the other side. Igbo people act just like every other Nigerian. We celebrate riches even if the rich person is extremely mediocre at the expense of true skill and achievement. We are corrupt just like every other Nigerian. We like to cut corners same as our fellow Nigerians. We do not actively engage our government to keep it accountable - just like all Nigerians. Why do we suddenly think that with a Biafra, all these traits would disappear and we would be patriotic, united Biafrans. The fact is that whatever problems Nigeria is facing would definitely creep into Biafra because we Igbo people still have this essentially "Nigerian" mindset. If we have shown ourselves to be entirely uniquely different from other Nigerians, then I would say we legitimately have a case for our own country - but that's not the case. We are the same as everyone else. Being Igbo does not make us magically better than the Hausas, Yorubas, Fulanis and other tribes that make up this entity called Nigeria. We have Igbos who have made a name for themselves in their various fields and are trailblazers. You know what? There are also Yorubas and Hausas and people from all the other tribes that are equally distinguished in their field so those making the argument that we Igbos are better than the other tribes need to come up with a better argument. And that brings me to my next point:


3: WE HAVE BASICALLY NOT DONE BETTER IN OUR REGION: For the Christians; remember the parable of the talents - where the master said "because you have been prudent with little, I will set you over much more"? Well, Ndigbo, let's present our report card: what have we done with what we have been given? It is funny how some people are insistent on blaming "marginalisation" for the current state of Igboland. Is it people from other tribes that have been our leaders since the return to civilian rule? Isn't it our fellow Igbo men and women who have occupied offices in our state and local governments and represented us at the state and national assemblies? What have they done for us? What have we done for ourselves? We would have a solid argument for our country if we had transformed it into a hub of innovation, creativity and productivity. But instead, we choose to blame the federal government year in, year out for marginalising us when it is our very own regional leaders that are looting us dry. You see a state government road in an utter state of disrepair and the governor would be crying for federal intervention. For what again? What have our state governors and state houses of assembly done to provide affordable health care, clean water, affordable and quality education, affordable housing, a good intra-state transport system and all the other amenities that are their primary responsibilities? Nothing! But ask them why and the next thing you hear is marginalisation. Who is marginalising who? As far as I know, the South Eastern states aren't being denied Federal allocations. Neither are we denied representation at the houses of assembly. Nor are we denied leaders from amongst themselves to lead us at state and local levels. These three alone should be enough for any people that are committed to building a productive and rewarding society for themselves. But we haven't done anything with them. What makes us think we would fare better on our own when in our small way, we can't take care of our responsibilities. Come on!

https://anigerianrealist./2017/04/21/why-i-think-a-biafra-may-not-work-at-least-not-right-now/

RosaConsidine:
[s]It seems like, of late, I have been running into (and reading) too many articles about Biafra. Maybe it's because of the continued incarceration of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu (which I think the Nigerian Federal Government has to fix as soon as possible) or just because the question of Biafra has loomed large in various stages of my life so far - especially considering I'm a Nigerian Igbo man. Let me just right out say (for the benefit of those who don't like reading long articles) that I'm not in support of a Biafra. And for those who are patient enough to read and comprehend before responding, here are my reasons why:Read more…

1) THERE IS NO PLAN FOR BIAFRA: It's funny how I hear a lot of Igbo people talk about Biafra and how wonderful it would be and how much better than Nigeria it would be - but not a lot of people exactly know what it would be, how it would run, the system of government it would adopt, how it would manage its resources and generate revenue - in essence, all it's plans for the present and the future. Even those I've engaged to tell me exactly what the plan for Biafra is have not been able to come up with one largely unified blueprint for a country they are clamouring about. And that's the absolute worst way to run a country. Why? Because the leaders would run the country whichever way they see fit because even the citizens don't know how it should be run. Anyone knows this is not a good idea because it would lead to a pseudo-authoritarian state where the leaders' words are law because they make the rules and not the people.

Also, it's funny to think that we, the Igbo people have not come together to agree on what we want for ourselves, how we want to achieve it and within what time frame we hope to achieve those goals. We just want a country first before thinking of how that country would actually work. You know who else did that? South Sudan. See how well it turned out for them. The country is still mired in strife and conflict IN SPITE of getting the secession they clamoured for - because they never agreed on what exactly their country would be and how it would run. This is like a child seeing a toy in a supermarket and asking its parents to buy it without knowing exactly what the toy is supposed to do. However, unlike the child and the toy, the handing a people a country they haven't properly planned for is way costlier and has way more lasting consequences.

https://anigerianrealist./2017/04/21/why-i-think-a-biafra-may-not-work-at-least-not-right-now/[/s]

Afonja...thinking about Biafraa at 3am.

4) BUT IGBOS ARE SECOND CLASS CITIZENS! NO - ALL COMMON NIGERIANS ARE SECOND CLASS CITIZENS: I have heard this line by so many people clamouring for Biafra: "Igbos are treated as second-class citizens in our own country. We aren't respected or given positions of authority or management just because of our tribe. Why should we stay in a country where we are not equal to every other person?". This is patently not true. You know what determines how you are treated in this country? How rich you are, your connections and how well you can ingratiate yourself with whoever you are dealing with. An Igbo man with connections has as much opportunities as any other Nigerian citizen with connections - same as an ordinary Yoruba or Hausa man would be denied those opportunities if they don't have the right connections like an ordinary Igbo man. They say it like the elite in this country think "Oh, he has connections but he is Igbo. Let's deny him opportunities." Hah! If you have the right connect in this country, you can get anywhere and do anything regardless of your religion or tribe. The funny fact is that most of the people being treated as second-class citizens in Nigeria would still be treated as second class citizens in Biafra.

"So how come Igbos aren't appointed or elected into positions of power or influence?". Well that's my next point:

5) WE STILL DON'T SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE: It might interest you to know that while the IPOB is the current trending Biafra secession advocacy group right now, MASSOB still very much exists. Remember MASSOB, that was led by Ralph Uwazuruike who had his own fair share of run-ins with the Nigerian Government? That group still exists - and if you consider what both groups are clamouring for, you would find that getting a Biafra may be their only common ground. Asides that, they differ on ideology, method, approach and every other thing that would have made them more formidable as a united group. Wasn't there even a splinter IPOB group not too long ago with it's own leaders and agendas? The South Eastern part of Nigeria suffers "marginalisation" because we are so fragmented. The fact is that at the Nigerian table, there is only one slot for each region. Multiple slots would not be created for diverse groups from the same region. Even our politics tells this story of unhappy disunity. Before the formation of the APC, the South West was predominantly ACN led by Chief Bola Tinubu while the North was largely CPC under the leadership of current president Muhammadu Buhari. Both leaders realised that they had a better chance of unseating the PDP led previous government by merging and even expanding their reach in their respective regions - which is what they did and the rest is history. The South East? Till now, we are not even sure what party speaks for the South East: PDP? It's not like Igbos exactly got the juiciest of government appointments in the party. APGA? A party that has been on a downward spiral for quite some time now and is only clinging to life in Anambra state. The South East is the only region in Nigeria that has three different parties shared amongst the state governments - the other regions are either PDP or APC. This is indicative of a fractious region that struggles to speak with one voice so that it can be heard.

drake2000x:


Afonja...thinking about Biafraa at 3am.

If this is your best reply, then I already fear for the future of a Biafra that hasn't yet been actualised.

6) BIAFRA IS MAINLY JUST AN ESCAPIST FANTASY FOR DISILLUSIONED IGBO NIGERIANS: I shared a story on this Nairaland thread about my experience in a danfo bus in Lagos. the driver was an Igbo man and he got into an argument with a passenger, a Yoruba man. After the passenger alighted, I heard the driver muse that he was only taking "this nonsense" because he's still in Nigeria and that once a Biafra is actualised, he wouldn't even be anywhere near Lagos. I was quite frankly amused. What makes him think he would be any better than a bus driver in Biafra? Does he think that he would magically become a senator or an industry captain in Biafra, just because he's an Igbo man? And it became obvious to me that a fair number of those calling for Biafra are disillusioned with the current state of Nigeria and fantasize about instead being citizens of a country that actually works and the most realistic chance of that happening for most is Biafra. They forget that there is no assurance that Biafra would be a better country than Nigeria. Isn't it funny that most Igbos who have become citizens of other countries aren't/have stopped clamouring for Biafra? It's largely because their personal fantasy of not being citizens of an underdeveloped, corruption-ridden country has been realised - thus no more need for Biafra. If they were so personally invested in the Biafra project, don't you think they would be here, fighting the cause instead of taking up foreign nationalities and going silent?

This is just the first part. I would outline them all out but I really need to get some sleep. I'm not saying that the call for a Biafra is invalid, so those that think I'm just opposing their views or plans should not get me wrong. I am just saying that with the way things are right now and with the fact that we haven't really considered the implications of a sudden split, a Biafra would just not work right now.

https://anigerianrealist./2017/04/21/why-i-think-a-biafra-may-not-work-at-least-not-right-now/

Arrant nonsense
u want to b noticed
go and sit down
writing trash

I stopped reading when I saw There Is Plan For Biafra.

The is another misguided 'one Nigeria' apologist. It is funny how these people keep running in circles trying to justify why Lugard made them Nigerians.

1) THERE IS NO PLAN FOR BIAFRA: It

Only free or independent people make plans. You dont make plans while you are in bondage unless you know when you will be free. The only plan for Biafra at this time is freedom, there will be enough time to draw up a comprehensive blue print for Biafra later.

"BIAFRANS" ARE STILL, ESSENTIALLY, NIGERIANs

Biafrans are not Nigerians. Biafra means the rejection of Nigeria and what it stands for. The Nigerian way of reasoning and acting are some of the many negatives that Biafrans want to jettison which is why they agitate for a separate state. Biafrans are not Nigerians, if they were, they would not agitate for Biafra

3: WE HAVE BASICALLY NOT DONE BETTER IN OUR REGION:

You dont have to do basically better in your region to decide if you want to part of Nigeria or not. Scotland that is agitating to leave Britain has not done better than England. Baltic countries like Lithuania and Estonia were not doing better than Russia when they left the USSR. Nobody needs to be doing better to seek their freedom.

4) BUT IGBOS ARE SECOND CLASS CITIZENS! NO - ALL COMMON NIGERIANS ARE SECOND CLASS CITIZENS

Biafra is not just about Igbos. Igbo is just one tribe amongst many in Biafra. Most of these minorities will tell anyone who cares to listen that their Oil wealth has been stolen while they are marginalised. Marginalisation is as a result of Nigeria not been run equitably

WE STILL DON'T SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE

I have never seen any family, let alone people, who speak with one voice.

Biafra is not about speaking with one voice, it is about what the majority wants.

BIAFRA IS MAINLY JUST AN ESCAPIST FANTASY FOR DISILLUSIONED IGBO NIGERIANS

As said before, Biafra is not an Igbo only thing, it never was. The last President of Biafra, General Philip Effiong, was not even an Igbo man. Biafra is no escapist illusion, it is a dream. A dream of forging a new existence away from the disasterously failed British colonial experiment called Nigeria. How can it be escapist for one to seek their God given right to self deternination, freedom and self rule? How can it be escapist for one to seek to control their destiny? Biafra is a dream and God willing, it will become reality, again.

The OP has spoken the TRUTH, sentiments aside. The same unfortunately goes to those who clamour for Oduduwa republic.

In terms of Economics, the population of Nigeria is a big asset which cannot be replicated if we fragment.

I understand the feel that some sections of the country have brought almost nothing positive into the pool of our Commonwealth, however we still need each other to be a great country.

God forbid that we reduce yourself internationally to the weight of counties like Togo and Gabon through fragmenting Nigeria.

Biafra will work through Uwazurike not Nnamdi

Excellent points. But unfortunately they wouldn't think. These agitators are all assuming it would be rosy just like that. They would be surprised the challenges that awaits them.

shadeyinka:
The OP has spoken the TRUTH, sentiments aside. The same unfortunately goes to those who clamour for Oduduwa republic.

In terms of Economics, the population of Nigeria is a big asset which cannot be replicated if we fragment.

I understand the feel that some sections of the country have brought almost nothing positive into the pool of our Commonwealth, however we still need each other to be a great country.

God forbid that we reduce yourself internationally to the weight of counties like Togo and Gabon through fragmenting Nigeria.

But you have had each other for 103 years yet you are not a great country, is it in another 103 years you are hoping the greatness will finally come?

Switzerland is just a landlocked country of 8 million people but Switzerland is far richer than Nigeria.

What is the point of having Nigeria of 200 million but nothing is working? Far better to have a country of far less people but things are working, like in Switzerland.

"Na population we go chop?"

shadeyinka:
The OP has spoken the TRUTH, sentiments aside. The same unfortunately goes to those who clamour for Oduduwa republic.

In terms of Economics, the population of Nigeria is a big asset which cannot be replicated if we fragment.

I understand the feel that some sections of the country have brought almost nothing positive into the pool of our Commonwealth, however we still need each other to be a great country.

God forbid that we reduce yourself internationally to the weight of counties like Togo and Gabon through fragmenting Nigeria.

Another yoruba man afraid of uniting and sharing the same passport with his kins in Benin republic.

In one breath, they'll tell you 'yorubas will do better and Igbo will suffer in Biafra'. When we all know the truth is lagos will become another porto novo in the event of a break up of the cursed unworkable contraption.

It would have made sense to me but it wouldn't matter anymore because you don't believe in Biafra, I would have said here is another good leader who knows what is needed to be done but the problem again is that same declaration of yours of not being in support of Biafra, so I have one question for you and your answer to that question would determine my next contribution.

Are these points you listed the reason you are not in support of Baifra or as you summarized in one sentence (for the benefit of those who don't like reading long articles) that you're not in support of a Biafra.

If the points you listed are simply your reasons then, lets talk Baifra but, if your reasons are really summarized in one sentence "I'm not in support of a Biafra." as your final conclusion then, carry on I don't have discussion with you because it won't yield anything

kingzizzy:


But you have had each other for 103 years yet you are not a great country, is it another 103 years you are hoping the greatness will finally come?

Switzerland is just a landlocked country of 8 million people but Switzerland is far richer than Nigeria.

What is the point of having Nigeria of 200 million but nothing is working? Far better to have a country of far less people but things are working, like in Switzerland.

"Na population we go chop?"

I guess you don't understand me.

A small country need technology to leverage on local population (they can at least export globally and be self sufficient internally). In the case of Biafra or Oduduwa republic, its still a dream far away.

We need population to kick start our technology just like China.

IpobExposed:
Biafra will work through Uwazurike not Nnamdi

Of course we know you Awusa will prefer an Uwazurike who is ready to swindled and sell Biafrans down the river but hate incorruptible Kanu who tells you Biafra is NOT FOR SALE.

DocHMD:


Another yoruba man afraid of uniting and sharing the same passport with his kins in Benin republic.

In one breath, they'll tell you 'yorubas will do better and Igbo will suffer in Biafra'. When we all know the truth is lagos will become another porto novo in the event of a break up of the cursed unworkable contraption.

Check out South Sudan.

What will you consider as their problem. They also have plenty crude oil and gas


That's what happens when the fundermental are ignored and emotions rule

With your level of intelligence I should have been telling you some more things you need to grow as a brother but, no! You're like a son sent abroad to go and learn about western life and bring home development but, you went there and relaxed for years, when you decided it was time to come home, you came with nothing, bore a hole in your ear with ear-rings, fry your hair and, then you started speaking eyoo! eyoo! you know, what d hell, what d fvck, mother fvcker to your brothers.

You think we're all going to settle for bread and water?


Israelites when they were being led out of Egypt were all that you're today, they nagged about everything, why bring us out of Egypt to this empty dry land? You shouldn't have brought us out to this desert to die, at least we have some bread to manage, we get some water after all, because they need us to continue being slaves so for that reason at least they will give us some bread and water once is a while to sustain us..

That is what you're today

1) THERE IS NO PLAN FOR BIAFRA
2) "BIAFRANS" ARE STILL, ESSENTIALLY, NIGERIANS:
3: WE HAVE BASICALLY NOT DONE BETTER IN OUR REGION:
4) BUT IGBOS ARE SECOND CLASS CITIZENS! NO - ALL COMMON NIGERIANS ARE SECOND CLASS CITIZENS:
5) WE STILL DON'T SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE:
6) BIAFRA IS MAINLY JUST AN ESCAPIST FANTASY FOR DISILLUSIONED IGBO NIGERIANS:
7) bla bla bla bla bla

Rome was not Built in a Day and they are still building it.

You said Biafra have no plan and you think a whole entity like Biafra really do not have plans? Well, lets accept your claim just for the purpose of discussion, Nigeria did not start today and it has all the plans in the world all the way from 1960, how far have they gone with their master plans? why are we agitating today? Answer me.

3: WE HAVE BASICALLY NOT DONE BETTER IN OUR REGION: You further argued in your third point that 'we have basically not done better in our region" but you didn't specify whether in our individual efforts or the government effort in our region, in answer to that, tell me which other region have done better than us in Nigeria as individual?

And if you're talking in governance aspect you should know it is this same corrupt Nigeria government that is running in the southern and Eastern Nigeria and not many states in other regions have done so well than us in most sectors. Anambra and Abia state have been in the new so long for the right reasons.

4) BUT IGBOS ARE SECOND CLASS CITIZENS! NO - ALL COMMON NIGERIANS ARE SECOND CLASS CITIZENS:

Okay let me not drag too much whether all common Nigeria are first or second class even though we know the truth that no one Fulani herdsman has been arrested but peaceful baifran agitators who are only performing their universal and inalienable right has been detained and many shot dead. But, should we all because others accepted to be/remain a second class citizen where they ought to be first also accept it? its just a simple question, need an answer

shadeyinka:


Check out South Sudan.

What will you consider as their problem. They also have plenty crude oil and gas


That's what happens when the fundermental are ignored and emotions rule

We all know that the only people that will go into 'south sudan' mode after break up are the Oduduwans who were killing and eating themselves in kiriji wars before the British came to rescue them from extinction by colonizing them

That shouldn't be our cup of tea in peaceful Biafra with clearly marked borders, we will only admit and register you as refugees when Kiriji 2.0 starts. You should have no fear.

Biafra mu.

Onye o na-ewe ga kwuo Udo.

DocHMD:


We all know that the only people that will go into 'south sudan' mode after break up are the Oduduwans who were killing and eating themselves in kiriji wars before the British came to rescue them from extinction by colonizing them

That shouldn't be our cup of tea in peaceful Biafra with clearly marked borders, we will admit and register you as refugees when Kiriji 2.0 starts. You should have no fear.

Hahaha

shadeyinka:


I guess you don't understand me.

A small country need technology to leverage on local population (they can at least export globally and be self sufficient internally). In the case of Biafra or Oduduwa republic, its still a dream far away.

We need population to kick start our technology just like China.

If you need the population then you must ask the indigenous people of the land via referendum. You cant force people be part of your 'one Nigeria' dream just because Lord Lugard told you so

[s]

RosaConsidine:
It seems like, of late, I have been running into (and reading) too many articles about Biafra. Maybe it's because of the continued incarceration of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu (which I think the Nigerian Federal Government has to fix as soon as possible) or just because the question of Biafra has loomed large in various stages of my life so far - especially considering I'm a Nigerian Igbo man. Let me just right out say (for the benefit of those who don't like reading long articles) that I'm not in support of a Biafra. And for those who are patient enough to read and comprehend before responding, here are my reasons why:Read more…

1) THERE IS NO PLAN FOR BIAFRA: It's funny how I hear a lot of Igbo people talk about Biafra and how wonderful it would be and how much better than Nigeria it would be - but not a lot of people exactly know what it would be, how it would run, the system of government it would adopt, how it would manage its resources and generate revenue - in essence, all it's plans for the present and the future. Even those I've engaged to tell me exactly what the plan for Biafra is have not been able to come up with one largely unified blueprint for a country they are clamouring about. And that's the absolute worst way to run a country. Why? Because the leaders would run the country whichever way they see fit because even the citizens don't know how it should be run. Anyone knows this is not a good idea because it would lead to a pseudo-authoritarian state where the leaders' words are law because they make the rules and not the people.

Also, it's funny to think that we, the Igbo people have not come together to agree on what we want for ourselves, how we want to achieve it and within what time frame we hope to achieve those goals. We just want a country first before thinking of how that country would actually work. You know who else did that? South Sudan. See how well it turned out for them. The country is still mired in strife and conflict IN SPITE of getting the secession they clamoured for - because they never agreed on what exactly their country would be and how it would run. This is like a child seeing a toy in a supermarket and asking its parents to buy it without knowing exactly what the toy is supposed to do. However, unlike the child and the toy, the handing a people a country they haven't properly planned for is way costlier and has way more lasting consequences.

https://anigerianrealist./2017/04/21/why-i-think-a-biafra-may-not-work-at-least-not-right-now/

[/s]

Myopic. Very very myopic.

[s]

RosaConsidine:

4) BUT IGBOS ARE SECOND CLASS CITIZENS! NO - ALL COMMON NIGERIANS ARE SECOND CLASS CITIZENS: I have heard this line by so many people clamouring for Biafra: "Igbos are treated as second-class citizens in our own country. We aren't respected or given positions of authority or management just because of our tribe. Why should we stay in a country where we are not equal to every other person?". This is patently not true. You know what determines how you are treated in this country? How rich you are, your connections and how well you can ingratiate yourself with whoever you are dealing with. An Igbo man with connections has as much opportunities as any other Nigerian citizen with connections - same as an ordinary Yoruba or Hausa man would be denied those opportunities if they don't have the right connections like an ordinary Igbo man. They say it like the elite in this country think "Oh, he has connections but he is Igbo. Let's deny him opportunities." Hah! If you have the right connect in this country, you can get anywhere and do anything regardless of your religion or tribe. The funny fact is that most of the people being treated as second-class citizens in Nigeria would still be treated as second class citizens in Biafra.

"So how come Igbos aren't appointed or elected into positions of power or influence?". Well that's my next point:

5) WE STILL DON'T SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE: It might interest you to know that while the IPOB is the current trending Biafra secession advocacy group right now, MASSOB still very much exists. Remember MASSOB, that was led by Ralph Uwazuruike who had his own fair share of run-ins with the Nigerian Government? That group still exists - and if you consider what both groups are clamouring for, you would find that getting a Biafra may be their only common ground. Asides that, they differ on ideology, method, approach and every other thing that would have made them more formidable as a united group. Wasn't there even a splinter IPOB group not too long ago with it's own leaders and agendas? The South Eastern part of Nigeria suffers "marginalisation" because we are so fragmented. The fact is that at the Nigerian table, there is only one slot for each region. Multiple slots would not be created for diverse groups from the same region. Even our politics tells this story of unhappy disunity. Before the formation of the APC, the South West was predominantly ACN led by Chief Bola Tinubu while the North was largely CPC under the leadership of current president Muhammadu Buhari. Both leaders realised that they had a better chance of unseating the PDP led previous government by merging and even expanding their reach in their respective regions - which is what they did and the rest is history. The South East? Till now, we are not even sure what party speaks for the South East: PDP? It's not like Igbos exactly got the juiciest of government appointments in the party. APGA? A party that has been on a downward spiral for quite some time now and is only clinging to life in Anambra state. The South East is the only region in Nigeria that has three different parties shared amongst the state governments - the other regions are either PDP or APC. This is indicative of a fractious region that struggles to speak with one voice so that it can be heard.

[/s]

Smh.

There will be no Biafra

ExpiredNigeria:
It would have made sense to me but it wouldn't matter anymore because you don't believe in Biafra, I would have said here is another good leader who knows what is needed to be done but the problem again is that same declaration of yours of not being in support of Biafra, so I have one question for you and your answer to that question would determine my next contribution.

Are these points you listed the reason you are not in support of Baifra or as you summarized in one sentence (for the benefit of those who don't like reading long articles) that you're not in support of a Biafra.

If the points you listed are simply your reasons then, lets talk Baifra but, if your reasons are really summarized in one sentence "I'm not in support of a Biafra." as your final conclusion then, carry on I don't have discussion with you because it won't yield anything

Right now, I am not in support of Biafra because we the Igbo people have not done the required minimum to show we are willing to create a country that will work. Using an analogy, one quite familiar to Ndiigbo, before an apprentice can be put in charge of his master's shop, he has to show that he can manage it well while tge master is around. As "apprentices", we have failed to show ourselves worthy in managing the resources we have available to us in our own corner of the Nigerian "shop". If anything, we are equally complicit in the failure of the Nigerian project. You think it's just people on the other side of the Niger that are corrupt? Have we looked at our own regional leaders? What have they done to create a land of equal opportunities for Igbo men and women? How have they (and we) managed the resources at our disposal. I ma mmadu permeates Igboland just like it does the whole country. Why do we think that would suddenly change with Biafra?

Before we can call for Biafra, we have to show ourselves as essentially distinct from other Nigerians because right now, all that differentiates us from the others is our language. We engage in corrupt practices like the rest of them, we don't hold our leaders accountable like the rest of them. Everyday we prove ourselves to be as Nigerian as the Hausa or Yoruba man. First we need a change of mindset, a change of approach to governance, government and society, we need a unifying ideology of what it would mean to be Biafran - not the various contradictory ideologies being floated by different pro-Biafra groups. We need to plan for the country we want to have because failure to plan first is basically just putting the cart before the horse.

iSlayer2:


Myopic. Very very myopic.

It's not enough to type "myopic" or "smh". Those aren't good enough reasons for an agitation. Counter these points i've made with a well thought out response. It's obvious that some of us are just clamor7ng for a Biafra but we are not willing to have a conversation about it.

kingzizzy:


But you have had each other for 103 years yet you are not a great country, is it another 103 years you are hoping the greatness will finally come?

Switzerland is just a landlocked country of 8 million people but Switzerland is far richer than Nigeria.

What is the point of having Nigeria of 200 million but nothing is working? Far better to have a country of far less people but things are working, like in Switzerland.

"Na population we go chop?"

My brother, what is the difference between a Nigeria were nothing works and a Biafra were nothing works? Do you think I would be any happier in an underdeveloped, corrupt Biafra than I am in an underdeveloped, corrupt Nigeria? My major concern is that, as it stands, a huge chunk of the problems we are facing as Nigerians would crossover into Biafra but unlike Nigeria, we wouldn't even have NigerDelta oil money to bail us out because let's face it, those guts don't want to be a part of Biafra, the oil we have in the South East is not in such commercial quantity for us to survive on for long, we still haven't decided what would drive a Biafran economy and we aren't even speaking with one voice for what we want. We need to first distance ourselves from the traits, habits, ideas and methods that have brought Nigeria to where it is today, sit down, plan and come up with a blueprint of what a Biafra would and should be BEFORE starting this agitation. A Biafra can work but then also, a Nigeria too can work. We are just not investing time and effort into planning and carefully executing those plans to make either entity work.

DocHMD:


We all know that the only people that will go into 'south sudan' mode after break up are the Oduduwans who were killing and eating themselves in kiriji wars before the British came to rescue them from extinction by colonizing them

That shouldn't be our cup of tea in peaceful Biafra with clearly marked borders, we will only admit and register you as refugees when Kiriji 2.0 starts. You should have no fear.

Why do you sound this caustic. I am not and will never be your enemy. How can I hate the most technologicaly enterprising group in Nigeria. No not possible.

The truth is the truth: there is more advantage in our unity than fragmentation. No ethnic group is better off on their own

kingzizzy:
The is another misguided 'one Nigeria' apologist. It is funny how these people keep running in circles trying to justify why Lugard made them Nigerians.

If someone gave you a badly damaged car but after analysis you realize that the car can still work completely fine if you fix it, would you throw away the car saying "why would this person give me a bad car? Let me go and buy my own car" when you know you don't have the resources to buy your own car or that the car you would buy might not be as good as the one you were given and it would cost more and take longer for you to get a new car?

Only free or independent people make plans. You dont make plans while you are in bondage unless you know when you will be free. The only plan for Biafra at this time is freedom, there will be enough time to draw up a comprehensive blue print for Biafra later.

This is laughable. It is simply a recipe for failure. It's like a student saying "let me register for JAMB first, then i'll start reading my books". Countries don't work that way. We have to first ask ourselves amongst ourselves "what do we want for our country? How do we want to run it? Who will our allies be? What will drive our economy? What will we do to make sure we don't repeat the mistakes that brought Nigeria to where it is now?" and all such pertinent questions before clamoring for a secession. This failure to plan will only result in the failure of Biafra which would end up being costlier than Nigeria's current failures.

Biafrans are not Nigerians. Biafra means the rejection of Nigeria and what it stands for. The Nigerian way of reasoning and acting are some of the many negatives that Biafrans want to jettison which is why they agitate for a separate state. Biafrans are not Nigerians, if they were, they would not agitate for Biafra

Well we aren;t doing a good job of jettisoning all these so-called Nigerian values now that we are still a part of Nigeria and if we aren;t different now, they will also become Biafran values in Biafra. It's not Yorubas or hausas or fulanis that are perpetrating the corruption that goes on in the South East - it's our fellow Igbo men and women. We are equally complicit in the failure of the Nigerian project but when clamoring for secession, we claim saintliness. Even Ojukwu who led us into civil war and went into exile returned to run for the Nigerian presidency. If he believed wholeheartedly in Biafra, then under no circumstance would he run for Nigerian presidency. Just imagine if Nnamdi Kanu were to be released from his unlawful incarceration and then decides to run for the Nigerian presidency? What would that tell you about his agitation for Biafra? We also need to ask those selling us the Biafra what their true motives and intents are else we would just be led like sheep not knowing what we are doing or why but following anyway.

You dont have to do basically better in your region to decide if you want to part of Nigeria or not. Scotland that is agitating to leave Britain has not done better than England. Baltic countries like Lithuania and Estonia were not doing better than Russia when they left the USSR. Nobody needs to be doing better to seek their freedom.

Scotland has done well enough for itself as a part of the UK so if they say they can do much better as a sovereign entity, they have a pretty good case. The baltic countries are a lesson in how not to take off to build your own house when you don't even know what it will look like. A lot of Eastern European countries are still struggling with underdevelopment as evidenced by the high rate of emigration by their nationals to other countries. The more ironic part is that despite them being sovereign countries, Russia still wields overwhelming influence over them, their economic activities and their political life. The Russia they were running away from IS STILL WITH THEM because they didn't chart their future outside the USSR before its breakup.

Biafra is not just about Igbos. Igbo is just one tribe amongst many in Biafra. Most of these minorities will tell anyone who cares to listen that their Oil wealth has been stolen while they are marginalised. Marginalisation is as a result of Nigeria not been run equitably





I have never seen any family, let alone people, who speak with one voice.

Biafra is not about speaking with one voice, it is about what the majority wants.




As said before, Biafra is not an Igbo only thing, it never was. The last President of Biafra, General Philip Effiong, was not even an Igbo man. Biafra is no escapist illusion, it is a dream. A dream of forging a new existence away from the disasterously failed British colonial experiment called Nigeria. How can it be escapist for one to seek their God given right to self deternination, freedom and self rule? How can it be escapist for one to seek to control their destiny? Biafra is a dream and God willing, it will become reality, again.

My brother, let's face it, Biafra is mainly an Igbo thing. The South Southerners consider themselves NigerDeltans, not Biafrans. Their language and culture is remarkably different and distinct from ours. Roping them into project Biafra just amounts to Nigeria all over again.

We may not all need to speak with one voice but we need to have a general consensus about our future - which we don't. We are still very fragmented and right now, we are murmuring different things so what the rest of Nigeria hears is incoherent noise with Biafra mentioned here and there. That's not good enough. History has provided us with ample examples that we need to learn from instead of trying to learn on the fly. If Nigeria were working as it should, do you think there would be a clamor for a secession? I strongly doubt it - which is why I see Biafra as being a fantasy to many people disillusioned with the current Nigeria.
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kingzizzy:


If you need the population then you must ask the indigenous people of the land via referendum. You cant force people be part of your 'one Nigeria' dream just Lord Lugard told you so

All those clamoring for Oduduwa or Biafra republic are over optimistic. Let's go our different ways then things will be better.

You will have a point if we start with your new republics unity. If you can unite to produce the next president of Nigeria: whether he wins or not, then you are almost ready other than that, its just a eutopian dream.