Ohaneze Ndigbo warns Ipob and Igbo youths that their clamour for Biafra risks another war

OHANEZE Ndigbo has warned Igbo youths currently clamouring for the recreation of the independent state of Biafra of the dangers what they are demanding pointing out that they are veering towards the calamity of war.

Over the last two years, calls for the recreation of Biafra have grown, with Igbo youths, led by the Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob) organising large rallies calling for independence from Nigeria. However, Ohaneze Ndigbo, the umbrella body of all Igbos in Nigeria has warned them that what they are effectively doing is calling for war.

When Biafra was originally declared in July 1967, it led to a 30-month civil war with Nigeria during which an estimated 2m Igbos died, most of them children from starvation. Ohaneze Ndigbo has warned Igbo youths that their style was out of tune with the body language of Igbo elders who have seen war and its devastation

Chief John Nwodo, the president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo also frowned at the call for referendum, saying that although a referendum is not a bad idea, it is not a tea party either. he added that it  is an option that will be more potent if restructuring clamour fails.

Earlier this week, the governors of the Southeast and South-South geo-political zones held a joint inaugural meeting in Enugu, stating that the two regions had common heritage, culture and affinity. They subsequently agreed to enter into a political and economic integration of the two regions, pledging to work together and realign as a people that share similarities.

Chuks Ibegbu, Ohaneze Ndigbo's deputy publicity secretary, said: “There is a raging debate on whether Igbo want Biafra, restructuring or referendum. Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s position has been constant and clear - it advocates that a restructured Nigeria with justice and equity will serve Ndigbo more than secession.

"It took into consideration the past, present and future before arriving at this crucial decision. Good enough, key voices in Nigeria are keying in to this mood."

He added that Igbo youths in Ipob and Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra , although with genuine grievances, need to be on the same page with Ohanaeze Ndigbo. Mr Ibegbu said Ipob leader Nnamdi Kanu, has done well in heightening the mood of Ndigbo in Nigeria but there must be some caution and restraint on the strategy and methodology.

“Biafra of the mind is not a bad idea but a physical Biafra at this point in time needs a very deep retrospection, introspection and analytical brainstorming which is not decided in the market. It is only more plausible if the event of 1966 repeats itself in Nigeria.

“Chief Nnia Nwodo and the new Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership is poised to aggregate the diverse views and opinions of Ndigbo and synthesise an option that will ultimately give Ndigbo their desired leverage in Nigeria. While diplomatic tact and pressure is not out of place in this, superior arguments that will not jeopardize the position and future of Ndigbo will be more attractive,” Mr Ibegbu added.