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Published on the Biafra Post 
December 7, 2023 
Written By Obulose Chidiebere

On the 15th of December 2023, the Supreme Court is set to deliver a decision that could potentially reshape the texture of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) - as a nonviolent Self-determination Movement, and its charismatic leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The ongoing legal confrontation has been a focal point of discussions, with the IPOB consistently advocating for peace and dialogue while emphasizing the importance of the Federal government to obey the court resolutions of its own judiciary.

To understand the significance of this upcoming judgement, it is crucial to look into the historical context surrounding Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB since the incept of their agitation. Kanu, a prominent figure in the Biafra freedom Quest, has been at the center of a legal cum political contentions that has spanned for several years. His arrest, abduction, extraordinary rendition - two years ago, and the charges levied thereof by the Nigerian state against him, have sparked real controversies over the objectivity of the Nigerian state in addressing the following; Indigenous People's right to Self-determination, Freedom of Expression and supremacy of the law etc as local and International law demands.

Despite unwavering call for the restoration of the independent Biafran state, IPOB has consistently reiterated its commitment to peaceful means of achieving the objective. The organization has alternatively advocated for dialogue and open-door diplomacy in resolving the problem in between the two entities, of which one of the most preeminent means she has proposed overtime, as a permanent solution to the agitation, is the conduction of an Internationally supervised referendum that would enable the people of Eastern Nigeria to decide if they wish to continue in the Nigerian amalgamated union – as its statutory of time has already passed (a century ago, 1914-2014). 

Although, this nonviolent posture may have somewhat draw admiration and support to the movement around the world, it has also undoubtedly brought unbearable adversity upon the movement with it -  which ordinarily could not have been endured. The Nigerian Government marshalled out a heavy crackdown policy against IPOB, with over 5,000 unarmed civil members/protesters and sympathizers of the group killed or unaccounted for in ten years, excluding those forcefully disappeared and detained indefinitely without trial, as well as the group's leader who was extraordinarily renditioned over  two years ago from Kenya. Amidst all these, the IPOB movement not even for a day, lifted a finger in retaliation against what is clearly an unruly aggressive government policy, that is legitimately resistible by the provisions of International law and standards on self-defense.

The importance of adherence to court orders has been one of the most central pivot of IPOB. The group argues that respect to the rule of law is essential for a just and functioning society. This insistence and confidence in legal processes has been both a strategic tact for justification, and a reflection of the organization's commitment to non-violence method of agitation. Hence, the upcoming Supreme Court decision will attest as to how far the Nigerian legal system is willing to go in upholding justice, which unarguably is in favor of IPOB and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The case of the IPOB Leader having also attracted the attention of the Global Community, with human rights organizations, various foreign governments and mainstream media, closely monitoring developments. Thus, the outcome of the Supreme Court decision could have far-reaching implications, not only for the IPOB movement and its supporters but also for the broader discourse on the right to pursue self-determination by every Indigenous population in the world.


Moreover, the case also raises questions about the role of international law in addressing self-determination clause. Advocates for Biafran independence - which the most proficient of them, is the IPOB movement - have sought support from the international community, emphasizing and citing the principles of human rights and the people's right to self-determination as enshrined in international code of conducts and charters of the United Nations which Nigeria is signatory to. So, the Nigerian Supreme Court is thereby obliged to prompt a re-evaluation of how international legal norms intersect with domestic legal processes while issuing its judgement on the 15th.

As the D-Day approaches, the eyes of the world pointed on the Supreme Court, expecting its long-awaited judgement regarding Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The potential game-changing nature of this ruling extends beyond IPOB as elaborated above, rather encompassing issues of human rights, the rule of law, and the complexities surrounding people's self-determination quest. Whether the decision will eventually align with the commitment of IPOB to peaceful and nonviolent resolution of strained dissension or introduces new dynamics which the movement will capitalize in making its case onwards, remains to be seen but one thing is certain, its effect and aftermath will undoubtedly reverberate both nationally and globally. The time is ticking! 


Edited By: Enenienwite Ikechukwu
Publisher Anyi Kings 

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Published On the Biafra Post 
November 23, 2023
  
The communities of Umuvo na Ikaa and Owerrinta in Isiala Ngwa South LGA, Abia State, have expressed their concerns and appealed to Governor Alex Otti to reconsider the plan to introduce Fulani herdsmen to their ancestral land. The communities believe that this move will pose a threat to their lives, security, and the sustainability of their farmland.

In a letter addressed to the Governor, the communities highlighted their grievances and fears regarding the proposed establishment of a trailer park in their communities. They argue that this development will not only displace families from their homes but also create environmental hazards and attract criminal activities such as kidnapping, prostitution, drug peddling, and robbery.

The communities also draw attention to the existing issues faced by neighboring areas with trailer parks, such as Umunneochi/Lokpanta axis of the state and Eleme in Port Harcourt, where crimes and security challenges have been reported. They assert that the introduction of a trailer park in their community will transform it into a Hausa/Fulani settlement, similar to these troubled areas.

A community leader expressed his confusion as to why the state government would consider bringing in Fulani herdsmen despite the havoc they have already caused in other parts of the state. The communities stress that they cannot tolerate the presence of these strangers or the dangers associated with a trailer park.

The communities appeal to Governor Otti to discontinue any discussions, surveys, or activities related to the proposed site and to consider relocating the project to an uninhabited area that is not densely populated. They emphasize their support for Otti during the last governorship election and their law-abiding nature, urging him to reconsider the plan unless he wishes to go into conflict with their communities.

Community leaders warn that any action that displaces them from their ancestral land and poses inherent dangers will be resisted, as the communities are prepared to defend themselves. They describe the state government’s plot as wicked and vow to protect their people. They also caution local individuals aiding the government to consider the consequences of their actions before it escalates into an uncontrollable conflict.

 The letter reads in part: "We, the good of Umuovo la Ikaa people have just been informed, to our utmost chagrin, of a purported plan by Abia State Government to forcefully acquire over 9.5 hectares of an ancestral land  belonging to some indigent families within our communities, for the purposes of establishing a TRIALER PARK, which is a way of introducing the dreaded Fulani - herdsmen in our land ".







The people believe that the large expanse of land, located at Umuvo, around former Basic Gas and near the Naval Base in Owerrinta, Isiala Ngwa South LGA owed by three communities is the source of livelihood for many families in the communities and will be tantamount to denying their people their farmland, and sustainability in the face of harsh economic reality in Nigeria. 



"The proposed TRAILER PARK, at Umuvo is at a busy area in the heart of rural dwellers and in the central area of our community. There are so many dangers associated with this incursion into our community. Apart from displacing families from their natural and ancestral homes, the proposed park will occasion a lot of environmental hazards that will not augur well with our people".



There are also tertiary institutions and a Naval base around the area, Adventist Secondary Technical School, Owerrinta, Convenant Polytechnic, Umuogbu - Owerrinta, Clifford University, Owerrinta campus and Nigeria Navy School, Owerrinta, all within the radius of the proposed trailer park. 



"Therefore, a TRAILER PARK in our community is a TIME BOMB as it will transform our community into Hausa/Fulani settlement as we all know the atrocities going on at Umunneochi/ Lokpanta axis of the state and Eleme in Port Harcourt because of the establishment of trailer parks and the effort of both state government to deal with the crime and security issues associated with the TRAILER PARKS".



"More so, a TRAILER PARK will bring kidnapping, prostitution, hard drug peddling, cattle grazing on peoples farms, robbery, killing and all kinds of crimes in the entire Isialangwa by the time it becomes operational".



A renowned community Leader who spoke to reports says, he is still wondering why the state Government, knowing the activities of these blood letting goons, would think of bringing such characters again to Abia state, on a new site despite the havoc they are already causing at Lopanta, Umunnechi, where decaying dead bodies, bones, bodies with severed heads were recently discovered as confirmed by Your Excellency. 



"Therefore, our people cannot contend with herdsmen menace. They cannot contend with the hostile lifestyle of their new strangers the government of Abia state wish to forcefully introduce to us. They cannot contend with the physical dangers associated with a TRAILER PARK. We therefore use this opportunity to ask that you use your good offices to discontinue any discussion, survey and activities planned or on - going at the site as our people are totally against this invasion.“



"With the dangers stated above, we are once again appealing to His Excellency to please remove this “Cancer” from our midst and take it back to any other location, with due cognisance of the environmental assessment and safety evaluation exercise.“



Emeka Ezindu recall that, during the last governorship election, the people of Umuvo and Ikaa gave Otti our support, we are also a law abiding community. Our only plea is that, if the government of Abia state indeed deem this project extremely necessary, they should take it to a free area that is not inhabited or densely populated by the rural dwellers because of the dangers associated with it.



"Thanking you Sir, in anticipation of your kind “RETHINK” and withdrawal of this unhealthy disruption of our community, the letter concludes “.



Reacting, a community leader, Uzoma Nathan, from Umuvo village, wondered why despite their support to Otti during the last general elections, he is now paying the Ngwa communities with a bad coin. He urge the Governor to have a rethink unless you wishes to go into war with their communities.


 
Another community Leader, Earnest Jonah, frowned at the decision and warned that such action that will didplace them from their inheritance with the inherent dangers will be resisted as the communities are well prepared to tame the invaders. 



Contributing, Chief Chidi Nwogu, from Owerrinta described the plot of Abia state Government as wicked, aimed to wipe away the communities and vowed to defend their people and warned the local people aiding Abia state government and their officials to weigh the consequences of their actions before it escalates into an uncontrollable war.

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IPOB press release 
Published on the Biafra Post 
October 18, 2023


It is unfortunate that some unscrupulous elements, political jobbers, and criminal groups are opposing the position of IPOB on proposed peaceful discussions and dialogue. Persons like Onyike of COSEL, Goodluck Ibem Williams Iheakolam, and Ohaneze Ndigbo, ananimous press Secretary with Federal Government of Nigeria for Biafra referendum. It's obvious that those persons and groups are the sponsors and beneficiaries of insecurity ravaging the Southeast.

We have noted with dismay the opposition from double agents like ananimous Ohaneze Ndigbo and some faceless persons speaking for a faction of Ohaneze Ndigbo. IPOB is a movement formed and governed based on international laws on self-determination. That is why IPOB has never yet picked up arms against the Nigeria government in our quest for Biafra Independence but has insisted on freedom via a referendum irrespective of all the Nigeria State sponsored brutality against us. 

The IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi KANU, and all the members of the Directorate of States (DOS) of the Indigenous People of Biafra are men and women of honor who understand the principles and laws governing self-determination. We have severally placed the Nigeria government and the International Community on notice that IPOB is a peaceful movement, and we are ready for dialogue on the Biafra referendum anytime Nigeria Government is ready. No Country or International Organization will claim ignorance of IPOB's demand. We will remain peaceful and law abiding until all democratic and political solutions are exhausted. Then, IPOB leaders and members will consider the next option for Biafra independence because our freedom is a must.

For those opposing our peaceful approach and demand for a referendum and dialogue, you can chat your own course. The criminals that the Nigerian government is sponsoring against our dialogue position can carry on with their militancy and criminality. These criminal groups should never mention IPOB, ESN, and Mazi Nnamdi KANU in their activities. Those opposing us are not members of IPOB, and their views do not represent that of IPOB or Mazi Nnamdi KANU.

As for the criminal politicians and political jobbers in Ohaneze Ndigbo and those who are behind using Ohaneze name to disparage Ndigbo should, come out in the open and stop using psuedo names to write rubbish in papers and in the social media. Those who preferred a restructured damnable Republic of Nigeria, where have you been since you betrayed Mazi Nnamdi KANU for the illusive restructuring,  you should get restructuring for us? The political errand men in Ohaneze Ndigbo should be careful not to bring up their illusive restructure again now. They shouldn't think we have forgotten how they colluded with the Nigeria Government and her murderous Security Forces to invade Mazi Nnamdi KANU's house on September 14, 2017, for the same restructuring. 

Though the Nigeria murderous Security Forces failed to assassinate Mazi Nnamdi KANU, many IPOB members, including family members of Mazi KANU, were murdered in the process. If Ohaneze ndioshi have been silent on their illusive restructuring after sabotaging IPOB and Mazi KANU, why are they bringing up restructuring now that we have called for dialogue on the referendum? The time of restructuring of Nigeria is gone.

We in IPOB are not joking with our demand for dialogue on Biafra referendum this time around and we are not begging Nigeria for that. Those benefiting from the insecurity in Biafra Land that are opposing this idea should be ready to face the consequences of their actions. The Nigeria government and her security advisers should save Nigeria and Biafra from protracted crisis that may come and be around the round table for discussions with IPOB and other genuine interest groups in the Biafra struggle. It will be stupid of any government to think that Biafra ideology can be wished away or perhaps stopped by guns, bullets, extrajudicial killings, and illegal detentions. If the genocidal war and starvation of millions of Biafran children between 1967-1970 didn't stop Biafran's burning desire for Independence, what else can? The earlier the Federal Government of Nigeria, the United Nations, African Union, and the rest of International Communites start to discuss and scheduled a date for Biafra referendum, the better for the political and economic survival of both Nigeria and Biafra. 

But in the event that political criminals in Biafra Land and the Nigeria Government sabotage our peaceful demand for a referendum dialogue, they should be ready for what is to come. You can't eat your cake and have it. Those who made peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

COMRADE EMMA POWERFUL, MEDIA, AND PUBLICITY SECRETARY FOR IPOB.
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