As pro-Biafran groups perfect their plans for the observation of May 30, Biafran Day Anniversary in spite of the stringent bail conditions granted Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), gathered during the week that some concerned Igbo leaders, including state governors, have been working round the clock to ensure the situation did not get out of hand.
A source confided that while direct efforts have been made to persuade the various groups involved in the Biafran agitation not to go ahead with this year’s anniversary in view of Kanu’s bail conditions, many noted Igbo leaders, who were approached on this subject vehemently questioned the rationale behind such suggestion, arguing that Biafra is a major experience that cannot be suppressed by anybody under any guise.
Even IPOB, whose leader’s bail condition was presented as the reason for the negotiations, said there is no going back on the sit-at-home order it declared on May 30, for Biafra Day celebration in remembrance of fallen heroes of Biafra who died during the civil war of 1967 and 1970.
Swearing to go ahead with the celebration, the group alleged that the Federal Government has mapped out plans to deal with the people of Biafra during the Remembrance Day celebration.
In a statement by the Media and Publicity Secretary of IPOB, Mr. Emma Powerful, the group warned Biafrans to stay at home on that day to avoid security operatives from killing innocent members of the public or IPOB members. He added that “there are series of meetings going on between security agencies and saboteurs in our midst who wish to sabotage the Remembrance Day celebration of our fallen heroes and heroines scheduled to hold on May 30.”
Aside IPOB, Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and Biafra Independence Movement (BIM) have not only expressed their determination to go on with the anniversary but have also called on the United Nations (UN) to step-up action by granting freedom to Biafra with a view to stopping unending killings and brutal treatment already meted out to people of the defunct eastern region by Nigerian government.
Okigwe zonal leaders of MASSOB and BIM made the call in a statement jointly issued to mark the 50th Anniversary of Biafra and MASSOB’s 18th Anniversary.
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investigation during the week showed that while some top Igbo leaders are convinced the best thing is to ensure the said annual anniversary do not hamper the progress so far made through Kanu’s bail, others contend that Biafrans must never give up on remembering their fallen heroes.
According to our source, this disagreement has left South-East governors and leadership of OhanaezeNdigbo with no option than to adopt, what a top state government official in Ebonyi State described as a delicate diplomatic strategy.
Explaining why some Igbo leaders are solidly behind Biafran agitators on the anniversary ceremony, Evangelist Elliot Ugochukwu-Uko, the founder of Igbo Youth Movement (IYM) said, “I assure you that our people are 100 percent behind NnamdiKanu and the IPOB. They have called on our people to stay at home on that day and meditate on the blood of our brethren unnecessarily shed in our recent history. I will assure you that in spite of the attempt by enemies of the people to sabotage the stay at home order, I believe our people will comply because they know that Kanu and IPOB mean well for our unborn children.
“Our people are behind him simply because, he has proven devoted, dedicated and committed to freeing our people from the prison called Nigeria. He has also proven that he will willingly make painful sacrifices for the sake of our people,” he said.
As at press time, sources said all the Biafran agitation groups are mobilizing their members in the villages to observe the stay at home order, while negotiations to stop rallies continue.
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