Biafrexit: The world’s next exit-referendum that United Kingdom should spearhead

Theresa May: British Prime Minister

By Tim Tochukwu

For Biafra Choice Writers

After Brexit, which was United Kingdom’s (UK) coinage for its referendum to exit the European Union (EU), the world’s next rational exit-referendum should be the campaign for Biafra to exit the contraption called Nigeria. For this reason, it is most apt that like Brexit, Biafraexit – the coinage for Biafra referendum to exit Nigeria – should now resonate across the world.

Tagging it Biafrexit makes it easier for British people and the world at large, to connect with it and pay attention to the gospel of Biafra. It will also help the British people to see that, unlike what they had with their Brexit, that Britain and the world have been so unjust to the people of Biafra in their age-long quest to exit Nigeria.

With Biafrexit, it would be difficult for British government to continue to lie to its people with all the puerile arguments it had marshaled on the subject, even to defend armed occupation of Biafra by Nigeria since 1970. For instance, this writer believes that British government’s constant claim of helping to preserve Nigeria’s territorial integrity and colonial boundary would be left bare for what it is – a lie, and a self-serving gimmick to continue with the corrupt enrichment of its officials from the resources of oppressed Biafra. British people would begin to see the connivance of British officials, with some other world leaders like Barack Obama, the United States of America (USA), that they have often recruited to support them in the rape and destruction of Biafraland; its people and environment.

Then it would finally put a lie to the claim of preserving 1960 Independence boundaries of Nigeria. British government was there when Nigerian beastly ruler, Olusegun Obasanjo, ceded Bakassi land to Cameroun and it said nothing about colonial boundaries.

That apart, we know that Britain has stood by, and even supported moves, for some African boundaries to be readjusted after the end of colonialism. Two good examples were the exit of Eritrea from Ethiopia, and South Sudan from Sudan. If Britain would go as far as helping in organizing referendum for such countries, why has it been insistent that Biafrans must be suppressed by Nigeria (supporting the genocide against Biafrans where nothing less than 5 million Biafrans were murdered) to retain what it called its territorial integrity and colonial boundary?

Now, the fact that every other country of the world which followed British lies and deceit to crush Biafra during its war with Nigeria (1967 – 1979) has broken up, should Britain continue to toe that line of argument. This is why we think that the current British government, under the leadership of amiable Mrs. Theresa May, should do the right thing this time around. Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, Ethiopia, and several other countries that supported Nigeria as it devastated Biafra between 1967 and 1970 have broken up in spite of all their efforts. Britain will not be an exception unless it does the right thing on the issue of Biafra.

It is not by accident that Scotland and Wales, some years past, sought for exit from the UK and were granted some autonomy. It is also not an accident that they have continued to seek complete exit from Britain as was the case with the last Scotland referendum of 2015. The Scots have not stopped there; they have continued to show a disposition for future exit from Britain, even after Brexit. This is enough reason for Britain to quickly do the right thing on the issue of Biafra. Highly respected Theresa May must not let this opportunity to make history pass her by.

Failing to do so, Mrs. May – a mother Biafrans revere and respect – should know that she has unwittingly followed in the footsteps of the highly dubious, hypocritical and deceptive David Cameron. She should know that she has joined other past British government officials, which have heaped a moral burden on their country as a result of the atrocities they supported Nigeria to commit against Biafrans. For the avoidance of doubt, those atrocities have continued up till today as the government of Muhammadu Buhari has engaged in illegal abduction and detention of innocent Biafrans, as well as torture and mass murdering of defenseless Biafrans in their land just for asking that they want out of Nigeria.

Another reason for belief that Biafrexit should be the next natural stop for another exit referendum in the world is the fact that Britain colonized the nations it later forced to create Nigeria. Britain therefore is in a vantage position to know the history of the contraption and to make sure that the right thing is done and Biafra granted independence, instead of supporting Nigeria’s daily baying for Biafrans blood.

Britain is also in a position to know that Nigeria is, at this very moment, an expired and illegal entity. The killing-field of a country, which was brought into existence by force of arms in 1914 by Fredrick Lugard, was actually given a lifespan of 100 years after which any nation or group within its accursed boundary would be free to walk away. Hundred years later, in 2014, Biafrans have been calling on Nigerian authorities to organize a referendum because they wanted out. But the only response has always been repression and murder.

That is why Nnamdi Kanu, leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB); Director of Radio Biafra London; and a British citizen, is currently under illegal detention in Nigeria. Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian President, has personally declared that he would not release Kanu, even after courts have twice ordered his release. Not only Kanu, several other Biafrans have been abducted while on a peaceful protest; others abducted from their homes for being members of IPOB or for possessing Radio Biafra app in their phones. Many others have been murdered, acid poured on their bodies to hide their identities, and then buried in mass graves.

On another plank, the UK is better placed to stop the Nigerian madness over Biafra. The old saying which states that “who feels it knows it; who knows it feels it”, should apply here. UK and its people know what it feels like to be in union that fails to cater for their needs and welfare. They were in the EU; they saw that it was not going well for them because they believed they were being suffocated, and decided to opt out. They were not coerced to remain, their citizens were not killed, and they were not abused and brutalized. Instead, their wish was granted through a referendum.

That was a civilised conduct by the EU, and that is why Biafrans expect that Britain should advise Nigeria under Buhari to do. Failing to do so, then the accusation will stick which is that British governments have been hypocritical on the issue of Biafra exit from Nigeria. But no! Let Theresa May proved them wrong; she should support Biafrexit, the world’s next rational exit-referendum.