Biafra Nations Youth League says southeast and south-south politicians who oppose secession will be voted out

SECESSIONIST group the Biafra Nations Youth League (BNYL) has urged politicians from across Nigeria's southeast and south-south geo-political zones to support the ongoing demands for the creation of an independent republic or risk being voted out in 2019.

Since President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office in 2015, calls for the recreation of the defunct republic of Biafra that existed between July 1967 and January 1970 have grown. Irked by the perceived marginalisation of Nigeria's Igbos, numerous groups have sprung up across the southeast calling for Biafra to be carved out of Nigeria because Ndigbo are not wanted in the federation.

With elections due in February next year, groups like BNYL and the Indigenous People of Biafra, have even asked Igbos not to participate but agitate for a breakaway republic. They have called on Igbos to boycott the polls unless the federal government agrees to hold a referendum on the creation of Biafra.

BNYL leader Princewill Richard, said the group will use its grassroots presence to frustrate politicians who are hindrance to the Biafra movement come 2019. He added that the southeast has lost its chances of producing Nigeria’s president, pointing out that the constitution was drafted without the consent of the former Eastern region.

Mr Richard said: “We won’t give them the chance to deceive our youths this time, no matter how much they would use as bribes to win Eastern votes. Those who are kicking against us, are doing so to curry favour from Abuja, not that they don’t want Biafra, so whoever is ashamed of supporting our cause should not ask us for vote.

“You can see how the north and west rotates power and even the current government have imposed June 12 on our people who were killed during that election. It took the grace of the Almighty before Jonathan managed to ascend the throne and that was by luck."

He alleged that the west and the north have joined forces, so amending the constitution will be difficult. According to Mr Richard, any bill the north and west perceive would favour the people of the southeast and south-south, especially the oil-producing towns will be thrown out.