woes

Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has expressed concern over the rumoured planned declaration of Biafra.

Ohanaeze said it’s compelled to issue a warning in the light of the recent developments concerning the misguided declarations surrounding the so-called Biafran independence scheduled for December 2, 2024.

The body stated that “the actions being propagated by detained Simon Ekpa and his dissidents, have perpetuated a cycle of violence, fear, and socio-economic degradation that has devastated the Southeastern region of Nigeria.”

This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by Ohanaeze’s factional Secretary-General, Okechukwu lsiguzoro.

According to the statement, over the past three years, the detrimental activities orchestrated by Simon Ekpa and his associates had resulted in unprecedented pain.

He said, “Once teeming with economic vitality and educational prowess, the Southeast now bears the scars of violence, where traditional ceremonies, weddings, and communal activities are increasingly forced to be held outside our homeland due to the crippling grip of insecurity.

“We must ask: what fruits have these discordant actions borne? Has the insurrection purportedly anchored in the quest for Biafra autonomy yielded any tangible gains for the people of the Southeast?

“Have they succeeded in stymieing Nigeria’s oil production or compelling the Federal Government to divert its investments to our region? Let it be clear that the answer is an unambiguous no.

“Instead, we have witnessed a staggering loss- over 34 trillion naira in investment opportunities evaporating from our 95 Local Government Areas since these dissidents embarked on their catastrophic voyage of violence.

“The Igbos are the primary victims of this reckless crusade, and it is offensive to witness the opportunistic individuals flourishing in the midst of this turmoil while our communities languish.

“In light of the alarming reality we now face, Ohanaeze Ndigbo calls upon the Biafrans gathering in Finland to recognize that they lack the mandate to represent the voices of Igbos at home and in the diaspora in declaring a separate sovereign nation.

“We urge them to reconsider their actions and to desist from actions that threaten to further entrench the cycle of violence and suffering in our homeland.”

Isiguzoro further warned the proponents that “the relentless quest for a declaration of Biafran independence not only undermines our collective sentiments but also risks compounding Simon Ekpa’s existing legal troubles in Finland.

“Any provocations linked to their misguided endeavors will only serve as additional evidence against him in the foreseeable legal engagements come May 2025.

“Thus, we implore those individuals captured by the allure of violence to step back from this path of devastation- a route that is fraught with doom.

“It is appalling that while the Federal Government seeks reconciliation with Niger Delta militants and rehabilitates Boko Haram combatants, offering amnesty and negotiations, those pursuing the Biafran narrative have predominantly faced brutality and disregard.

“We reiterate: individuals committed to the declaration of Biafran independence in Finland will bear full responsibility for any eventual repercussions born from their reckless pursuits.”