banom:


Welcome dear and thanks for this reasonable question. Boycotting the Nigerian election Is a civil disobedience and one of the many pressure and negotiation tools IPOB intends to use to press home for a date for referendum from the Nigerian government.

Boycotting elections has never been a form of civil disobedience, I do not understand how boycotting an election by one party out of numerous other parties would pressure a government to negotiate. The most effective tool in a democracy to pressure a government negotiate is votes. It is only votes that can remove a government from power or to negotiate group interests apart from guns.

Under Apartheid, blacks were fighting and getting killed for the right to vote, but here are group of people that believes they are being suppressed are conceding their right to vote

IPOB as you know is Indeginous people of Biafra: an umbrella movement that is agitating and championing for the emancipation of BIAFRA from Nigeria in a peaceful and civilised manner.

The whole statement is a misnomer. There was never an independent country called Biafra before you even start talking of Indeginous peoples that called themselves Biafra. Biafra was simply a name that replaced eastern Nigeria, during the 3 year civil war. After the civil war the region reverted back to eastern Nigeria, (although broken down into smaller units or states).
Before the creation and amalgamation of Northern and southern Nigeria, there was never any political entity called Biafra. Before independence, Biafra did not feature at all in pre independence negotiations.
Today you can simply not replace former Eastern Nigeria with BIAFRA. The dynamics that created eastern Nigeria is different from the dynamics that will create Biafra.

For BIAFRA to successfully secceed from Nigeria in a peaceful globaly acceptable way without war, a referendum must be conducted in this BIAFRAN area, and for this to happen, Nigeria must agree to it. But to seat down and ask Nigeria for this referendum she will not agree, and that is a waste of time. And to come out on the Nigerian street to protest for it is suicidal as Nigeria government has a penchant to kill unarmed protesters.
So one of the most effective ,peaceful and harmless ways to press home for it is to result or threaten to result into civil disobedience which one of them is election boycott.

As I said there is no Biafra. Biafra as presently agitated for by IPOB is a politically meaningless and geographically boundless term. IPOB sought to impose referendum on people who never asked for it, from Idoma people of Benue to Urhobo people of delta.

Nigeria does not have provision for referendum in its constitution and no international body or country can force Nigeria to conduct one. Even if it signed international agreement that demands referendum, it must domesticate the agreement through the national assembly, and passed into law, before a referendum can be held.

Observe that IPOB never said its members will not be participating in the forth coming general election, rather they said" give us a date for referendum or we will not participate in the election. They are too different things here. To simply ask citizens who are still part of a constituted entity not to participate In her election Is undemocratic and uncivilised but to threaten to boycott the election except the Nigerian government gives them a listening ear on their demand for referendum is civilised and democratic.

The IPOB group itself is meaningless. IPOB arrogantly arrogate itself to be the voice and opinion of ALL igbos and even ALL south south peoples. This is contrary to reality. I have not seen any politician, professional or business leaders that claims membership of IPOB. Most IPOB members I know are Traders, Okada riders, low and medium skilled workers and jobless youths.

Now answer these questions ;

What is the membership strength of IPOB? How many registered members do IPOB have? What is the organisation structure of IPOB? Where is the constitution of IPOB to know it's structure, aims and objectives? Is IPOB registered anywhere?

kanubiafra:
how has voting worked for you in nigeria since the advent of our democracy?

BUHARI contested 3times and failed.

He believed that he was rigged out.

Did it make him to stop contesting?

No.

He realized that he needed to join alliance which he did and won.

In as much as I hate him so much

Try nd borrow that mentality.

Better doing something than doing nothing.
Educate your mind.

artofseduction:


BUHARI contested 3times and failed.

He believed that he was rigged out.

Did it make him to stop contesting?

No.

He realized that he needed to join alliance which he did and won.

In as much as I hate him so much

Try nd borrow that mentality.

Better doing something than doing nothing.
Educate your mind.

Thank you. What about Abraham Lincoln that lost elections 12 times.
I hate defeatism, looking for excuses why you cannot succeed.
If ANC was like IPOB, I am sure south Africa will still be under apartheid.

banom:

through methods that suits the realities obtainable .

In all your write up m

I am yet understand how boycotting elections will make FG to give u referendum.

You kept shouting civil disobedience

How will a country as diverse as Nigeria be disturbed because a certain group of people decides to disenfranchise themselves?


Dre is only two ways to get referendum.
By rebellion (civil war)
Or
Political (involving yourselves in politics )


Oga ! Any other way is a fallacy.

IPOB should've been encouraging it's members to involve in politics rather than boycotting.


Kanu knows he guffed bug time.

But pride will notallow him reverse his strategy.

Don't b a fool brother.

wirinet:


Thank you. What about Abraham Lincoln that lost elections 12 times.
I hate defeatism, looking for excuses why you cannot succeed.
If ANC was like IPOB, I am sure south Africa will still be under apartheid.

Honestly, our brothers are too naive and ignorant at the same time.

You cannot rig an election where the candidate popularity is more than 70% its practically impossible.

But these boys will never learn.

artofseduction:


BUHARI contested 3times and failed.

He believed that he was rigged out.

Did it make him to stop contesting?

No.

He realized that he needed to join alliance which he did and won.

In as much as I hate him so much

Try nd borrow that mentality.

Better doing something than doing nothing.
Educate your mind.

point out one pro-biafra political party , individual , institution , that you want biafra to work with ? but before you do tell how ojukwu and his apga fared with biafra of the mind how is uwazurike fare since he joined nigeria politics ? he had a 25 steps to biafra back then so what step is he at ? guy nigeria politics corrupts. like a virus. if only biafra had autonomy will johning politics work not in this unitary system

kanubiafra:
point out one pro-biafra political party , individual , institution , that you want biafra to work with ? but before you do tell how ojukwu and his apga fared with biafra of the mind how is uwazurike fare since he joined nigeria politics ? he had a 25 steps to biafra back then so what step is he at ? guy nigeria politics corrupts. like a virus. if only biafra had autonomy will johning politics work not in this unitary system

How many of these people enjoined the followership IPOB IS enjoying now.

APGA was never formed as a separatist party.

All KANU needed to do was to use a decoy nd register a party or go into agreement with one of these micro party.

I will ask u again, how those boycotting AN elections make FG give u referendum?

Where has it ever worked?



The worst approach to a problem is doing nothing.

Why don't yuo try proven approach and stop whining like a girl.

Sir, I admire your understanding of the issues and your maturity.

I think your postulation is 100% correct theoretically and may even be 50% correct in reality.
The are two main reasons why it may not be 100% correct in reality.

1) If IPOB were to leverage on their popularity and transform into a political party or join the electoral contests, they will be up against APGA, PDP and APC which are well organized and entrenched political parties with structures in every ward in the S/east with financial war chests to prosecute electoral battles.
The ONLY strength of IPOB will be emotional support for Biafra, so IPOB can only win about 50% of the electoral posts contested.

2) The second and greater factor that will erode IPOB support is this; achieving popular electoral victory based largely on emotional support is NOT the same thing as good governance.

IPOB as presently constituted in NOT a group of intellectuals, successful corporate icons or seasoned administrators and their members lack the requisite experience, political sagacity or adequate preparations necessary to develop Alaigbo, so IPOB Governments will NOT be very different from the present State Governments.
In the face of economic downturn, how will IPOB generate enough IGR to pay their workforce, construct major roads, provide adequate health facilities and substantial employment in their States? Within two years, strikes and disenchantments will set in such that by 2023, IPOB will lose most of its support base and appeal.

Agitating for Biafra will only elicit emotional support in matters of 'Igbo Vs Non-Igbos' but in matters of 'Igbo Vs Igbos', it will take a back stage because it doesn't put foods on their tables, pay their children school fees or secure employments for their youths.

dokie:


The bolded is the issue.

Having absolute boycott of elections or any other form of civil disobedience is totally impossible under the present circumstance. At least 50% of igbos living within and outside the south east will not engage in civil disobedience. Why? Because some of them do not want to secede and the others do not believe that the process will yield any result in the crude Nigerian system of today where the government does not give a damn if it's citizens live or die for as long as they keep their positions and the oil money is flowing. And if Civil disobedience is not consistently absolute it cannot achieve its purpose.

Nnamdi Kanu is jumping the gun. He seems to have forgotten that the Biafra struggle started before he was born and does not necessarily need to be actualized in his lifetime. If he did, he would have realized that one needs to be more strategic in approach, take it the extent he can, and another person takes it from there.

The initial steps NK took to garner support and large followership was great and should have been consolidated upon for the next ideal level which was to take over south east political leadership. And don't say votes don't count it's not true. IPOB has the capacity to win 80% of the electoral seats in igboland. You cannot be rigged out in a place where you have overwhelming support, it cannot happen. But unfortunately he went to declare election boycott which was a penalty to throwing kinda thing.

If he had done that, IPOB would have had political power in 2019, and further consolidated in 2023. I don't want to go further than this regarding further steps after getting the power but know that holding the political power of the south east has limitless possibilities for the Biafran struggle. Ojukwu was able to declare Biafra simply because he was in control of the government of the eastern region.

A good example of what power can do is Catalonia where most if not the entire political class are in support of the secession. See the impact they are making. Theirs is a question of time, while ours is a question of how (under the present circumstance). .

Now, that opportunity has been lost and elections will hold and the boycott will not achieve anything because most igbos with pvc will vote, especially with the Peter Obi factor, and the hatred for Buhari.

In a nutshell 'absolute' boycott cannot be achieved. what could have been achieved (and can still be achieved but in the next election season), is a major participation to enthrone IPOB members in the seat of power, and continue the struggle from that point.

Warship:



Biafra does not need to cause a CRISIS directly.

There are many ways crisis can be caused without attributing it to IPOB eg Fulani Terrorism.

So take note that Crisis Must Occur and that is why we must secretly build our military capacity to secure our territory while waiting for UN Envoy to conduct a Referendum.


Take Note:

If Asari Dokunbo never had the military capacity to extradite Kanu's family from Ibeku by now, Kanu would have been dead. Yes or No.?

It would take thousands of death of biafrans in the crisis to get the attention of UN. That's just how the world works now. It's not just by triggering a crisis, thousands have to die too to get world attention.

victorvezx:

It would take thousands of death of biafrans in the crisis to get the attention of UN. That's just how the world works now. It's not just by triggering a crisis, thousands have to die too to get world attention.

The thousands don't need to be Biafrans but Nigerians if we take the war into the Nigerian Territory

You are just abusing ( that is what you know how to do best) me but you haven't said anything about the subject matter.

The Op called for intellectual debate and not a contest for 'Insults, abuses or curses'

banom:


With this your comment, you just exposed your igYounorance and lack of education in a public forum without knowing it. You are obviously a product of failed Nigerian educational system who is lucky enough to borrow a browsing phone with 5mb in it.

No point enlightening you much, I will only remind you that without IPOB unmatched intelligence you would have been calling a Sudanees man your president today.

Warship:


The thousands don't need to be Biafrans but Nigerians if we take the war into the Nigerian Territory

It is Nigeria that will take the war to the south east. Let's not be biased but truthful. Nigerian army can easily enter the south east, same way they easily entered during the civil war. U are the ones that want to trigger a crisis to get referendum, but are afraid to die in the crisis in order to get U.N attention. Lol

If you want to create the crisis, this time around, you have to sit down and plan very well, consider the pros and cons, the resources (plus adequate food) you need to see it through, including the consequences ,let it be limited to your area, don't expect or rely on the support or understanding of your perceived competitors/opponents/enemies to avoid the stories that touch hearts when you start shouting betrayal or backstabbing.

Warship:


You really understand the conditions(eg crisis) that stir up the international community to speak up for peaceful resolution through a Referendum.

Donelli, this is what Kanu should focus on(Create Crisis).

How do we secretly create a crisis that can stir up the international community to speak up and intervene.?

That is why I also advocate for secret development of Biafra military capacity to secure our sovereignty once the crisis erupts.

banom:
There is something I noticed about those advising us to participate in the election, they are mainly pdp members and atiku supporters who are banking on our votes to win the election. They don't care about Biafrans, all they care for are our votes. They hide this their real motive under the cloak of voting will give you voice, voting will help you control the government, voting will help you to vote out Buhari and elect a person who will listen to your call for referendum ( this is subtly suggesting atiku to be the one). They say this as if votes even count in Nigeria..

This is rubbish to me. You say it as if there is no precedence. We have been voting for time immemorial what has come out of it? Absolutely Nothing. How can we bank on Atiku when he is a dubious and duplicious person and is not in any way different from Buhari. Was it not the same Atiku that was talking about restructuring before the python dance. And immediately after the python dance and he thought nnamdi kanu was dead, he and other restructuring advocates muted the idea.

Let me tell you people what you are actually trying to do . You are subtly trying to lay a trap for IPOB by luring us to get involved into Nigerian politics. You did the same thing to Ojukwu and disgraced him to the point of making sure he was defeated by an unknown commissioner at the time in a position as small as a Senate election. You made sure he lost even in his own backyard. And that striped him most of the influence he had on igbos. In the end, what did be gain? Absolutely nothing and he lost everything. Including how history will remember him. And what did Biafrans gain from his involvement in Nigerian politics ? The answer too is nothing. We are still being marginalised and treated like 3rd class citizens. As if it wasn't all of us that helped achieve Nigeria's independence.

If there is one thing I like about Nnamdi Kanu, it's his knowledge of history and his uncanny ability to see and calculate several steps ahead. From the onset, he knew that going about the agitation through a political route will not yield anything. For instance, from the beginning, he identified that one of the major stumbling blocks in the agitation will come from Igbo political class. These are men and women who are already established and benefiting from the corrupt Nigerian political system. And will continue benefiting from it in so many years ahead.

Some of them are first time sitting governors who are almost guaranteed to go for a second term as governors and then thereafter go and spend the next 8-12 years in the Senate house. Is it such a person who will be hugely benefiting from the existence of Nigeria for the next 16-20 years that you will bank on to risk or leave it and help you actualise your freedom ? They don't care about the common man. They only care about themselves and their family members.

If at anytime Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB deviates from the current method they are using to agitate for Biafra and start seeking political method and political positions in Nigeria they will mess the whole agitation up. They will fall into that same trap Ojukwu fail into, and they will regret it. Though I strongly believe Kanu is too intelligent to even give such an foolish idea a second thought.

A thousand "likes".
Those who pay no attention to history are bound to make thesame mistakes.

Donelli:

You made a good point. Most people who argue against Biafra do not really understand why, especially those of us born from the mid-eighties down who did not have the benefit of history lessons. I have come across many people using the "form a political party" line (which I must admit, I once believed to be a brilliant idea till I did some studies that changed my mindset on a lot of things). For the older ones, it's quite complicated.

Please give some insight on what you learnt

helinues:

Nigeria is not in crisis. UN referendum is not applicable

Have considered the possibility that a crisis could start at any time?

whatmoreng:
Am tired of Nigeria too. But all I know is that boycotting of elections is the surest way of NOT ACHIEVING BIAFRA.

how do you mean?

melodyogonna:

Have considered the possibility that a crisis could start at any time?

But always remember Igbos are not violent by nature

Jombom:
Pls foolish Igbos should engage each other Nigerians are marching on to 2023 with Buhari.

what do you want us to do about this other than election boycott? One out of two possible candidates will win the election. The first person, a Fulani, has been confirmed to be barbaric and brainless, the second person, another Fulani, is sooo corrupt that fraud trailed him from America, even the president he was vice to confirmed how corrupt he was - yet this are the best Nigerians can hope for.

And don't use foolish on a whole tribe, it goes a long way to show how much you lack manners.

oyatz:
You are just abusing ( that is what you know how to do best) me but you haven't said anything about the subject matter.

The Op called for intellectual debate and not a contest for 'Insults, abuses or curses'

If not for your childishness and inattentiveness you would have known I am the OP. When you come here to insult IPOB you expect me to laugh and clap for you. I told you what you bargained for.

Sir, where was the insult in post?
If I state that I think someone lacks the level of education, exposure or expertise needed to understand or undertake a task, does that amount to insults?

banom:


If not for your childishness and inattentiveness you would have known I am the OP. When you come here to insult IPOB you expect me to laugh and clap for you. I told you what you bargained for.

bantudra:


btw,you are not going to get sympatizisers when you call nigeria a shithole....

nigeria may mean nothing to you but for others nigeria is dare to them....

Nigeria is dear to nobody... unless of course to politicians who are milking it dry.

I doubt you are a politician, what endears you to Nigeria?

How can these be sold in the international market?

Is the offer extended to other Nigerians?

Let me know if yes.
Thanks.

Warship:


Do you generate or earn a monthly income of at least 70k.

If yes, research and work on the following:

1) Extraction of pure cellulose from lignocellulose materials especially from ones abundant within Biafra eg palm oil fibre, saw dusts etc.

2) Nitrification of pure cellulose.

3) Fabrication of axial compressors.

4) Fabrication of centrifugal compressors.

5) Mass Recycling of Iron, steel and metallic wastes.

6) Application of axial and centrifugal compressors in Air Vehicles.

7) Application of Nitrated Cellulose.


If You Are Very Determine To Help IPOB, Do These 7 and Pass Across Your Findings To Them and Watch What Will Happen.

Referendum can't be conducted for States that didn't ask for it.

For instance, if referendum is conducted in Delta State and Biafra won in Asaba, Ugwaishi Uku, Ibusa and Enuani but Ika, Agbor, Sapele, Patani, Bomadi, Warri and the rest of the State voted against Biafra, what will happen?

banom:


We are asking for a referendum to be conducted in all south east states and all south south states minus Edo state. And of course if during the referendum majority votes in favour of staying in Nigeria we will stay put in Nigeria and that will permanently bury the issue of BIAFRA.

whatmoreng:


I see.....
Then boycott and watch buhari sail to victory.
I hope by then u won't come up with another jubril part 2 propaganda to rubbish him.

The world suffers not because of the actions of evil people but because of the inactions of good people.

I don't think you understand the purpose of the boycott, it is not meant to stop buhari from winning, no, not that; think of it as when you don't go to an event because you don't want to be there, now imagine that ninety percent of people who were supposed to grace the event wasn't also present because they don't want to be there, that's exactly what the boycott is about.

it will show international election observers and anyone who cares to look that we don't want anything to do with Nigeria, infact it shows we don't want Nigeria at all. what do you think the rest of the world would say if a whole region in a country like Nigeria did not vote in an election?

1) The old Eastern Region was created by the British colonial Masters without consulting the peoples just like the way Nigeria was created. You can't accuse Nigeria of being a colonial creation on one hand and seek to entrench the Old Eastern Region (which has ceased to exist since 1967), another colonial creation on the other hand.

2) Delta State WAS NEVER part of the Old Eastern Region.

3) The Ijaws, Ogoni,Ikwerres etc fought largely on the side of the FG and fought against Biafra.

banom:


The other parts of south south states included are the parts that formed the old eastern region. The parts that fought the biafran war. That is the justification for their inclusion. Edo has no such justification.
as for IYC, Its just an organisation. The ultimate decision lies with the people. And that is the reason we are demanding for a referendum Which gives everyone a voice. Is after the referendum you can honestly tell if the majority of the ijaws want to be part of Biarfra or not.

oyatz:
Sir, I admire your understanding of the issues and your maturity.

I think your postulation is 100% correct theoretically and may even be 50% correct in reality.
The are two main reasons why it may not be 100% correct in reality.

1) If IPOB were to leverage on their popularity and transform into a political party or join the electoral contests, they will be up against APGA, PDP and APC which are well organized and entrenched political parties with structures in every ward in the S/east with financial war chests to prosecute electoral battles.
The ONLY strength of IPOB will be emotional support for Biafra, so IPOB can only win about 50% of the electoral posts contested.

2) The second and greater factor that will erode IPOB support is this; achieving popular electoral victory based largely on emotional support is NOT the same thing as good governance.

IPOB as presently constituted in NOT a group of intellectuals, successful corporate icons or seasoned administrators and their members lack the requisite experience, political sagacity or adequate preparations necessary to develop Alaigbo, so IPOB Governments will NOT be very different from the present State Governments.
In the face of economic downturn, how will IPOB generate enough IGR to pay their workforce, construct major roads, provide adequate health facilities and substantial employment in their States? Within two years, strikes and disenchantments will set in such that by 2023, IPOB will lose most of its support base and appeal.

Agitating for Biafra will only elicit emotional support in matters of 'Igbo Vs Non-Igbos' but in matters of 'Igbo Vs Igbos', it will take a back stage because it doesn't put foods on their tables, pay their children school fees or secure employments for their youths.

While I may not agree completely with your first point, I agree completely with the second. Nevertheless the current method of radio broadcasts, demonstrations, Biafran remembrance days and election boycott will prove to be futile in the coming years. Time will make it clear to even the most staunch supporters of the agitation.

On a personal note, I don't support secession. Fiscal federalism will do the magic. If fiscal federalism will not do the Magic, Biafra will also not do it.

Time will reveal a lot, but election boycott is a no no.

Donelli:

A thousand "likes".
Those who pay no attention to history are bound to make thesame mistakes.

Thanks dear . One of the greatest problems of Nigerian society is illiteracy. Most of them went to school without learning anything.

The Ijaws were busy capturing and selling Igbo to Slave masters during the Slave trade era.

In fact, the word Igbo at earlier time in its evolution meant SLAVE (research it very well) and in its earliest form appear to be of Yoruba origin in referring to the 'Forest people'

Warship:



Not true

Ijaws never enslaved other ethnic groups like Bini and Yoruba people who built their empires on enslaving other ethnic groups.

victorvezx:

It is Nigeria that will take the war to the south east. Let's not be biased but truthful. Nigerian army can easily enter the south east, same way they easily entered during the civil war. U are the ones that want to trigger a crisis to get referendum, but are afraid to die in the crisis in order to get U.N attention. Lol

I won't indulge you in an argument.

dokie:


While I may not agree completely with your first point, I agree completely with the second. Nevertheless the current method of radio broadcasts, demonstrations, Biafran remembrance days and election boycott will prove to be futile in the coming years. Time will make it clear to even the most staunch supporters of the agitation.

On a personal note, I don't support secession. Fiscal federalism will do the magic. If fiscal federalism will not do the Magic, Biafra will also not do it.

Time will reveal a lot, but election boycott is a no no.

we ran fiscal democracy before remember? it is time to separate the country and exist as neighbours

melodyogonna:
Please give some insight on what you learnt

See banom's post I quoted before this comment you made. It will give you an idea of how this kind of episode played out in the past with Ojukwu which many are suggesting we follow same path again.