Marginalisation of Igbo gives rise to Biafra, says Uwuazuruike

Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, leader of Biafra Independent Movement (BIM) has declared that the absence of Igbos in key political appointments made by former Nigerian military Heads of State and Presidents inspired him to float Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of (MASSOB).

Uwazuruike recalled that on August 7, 1999, then as President, Igbo National Council of Chiefs, he made public the communique of the National Delegates Conference of the Igbo National Council of Chiefs that were mandated to work out the modalities and pursue the immediate actualization of sovereign state of Biafra based on the principle of “non-violence” adopted by the Indian people in their struggle for independence.

The BIM leader said in a press statement signed by one of his collaborators and member, Biafra Elders-in-council of BIM, Mazi Chris Mocha, advised Igbo leaders, who were indisposed to lending support to the Biafran cause to stay out of it, warning that any attempt by any Igbo leader to sabotage the objective of actualizing Biafra as an independent State would incur the wrath of Ndigbo “as we have resolved that Ndigbo can no longer continue to live like this”, the communique concluded.

According to the communique the Executive of the Igbo National Council of Chiefs conveyed to the then president, Obasanjo, the intention of the Eastern Nigeria which existed for 3 years between 1967-1970 as an independent nation under the name and title: Republic of Biafra to re-actualize itself as a sovereign independent nation.

The release stated that it was on that premise   that led to the formation of Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State (MASSOB).

Uwazuruike declard that it was based on that mandate given him by the council on August 16, 1999, that he drafted a petition to the members of the Nigerian National Assembly from South East and intimated them of the desire of MASSOB to actualize Biafra, stressing that it had become clear that the hatred of Ndigbo in Nigeria was natural and could not be changed by their patriotism or good statesmanship.

“We also hope you feel concerned about the unperturbed humiliation of Ndigbo in terms of office sharing in Nigeria, adding that it was no longer news that no Igbo man can be president of Nigeria”, he reportedly told South East senators and House of Representatives members.

He assured them that MASSOB had adopted the principle of non-violence and non-exodus to guide the struggle in order to avoid jeopardizing the huge investments of Ndigbo outside Igbo land.

Uwazuruike lamented that before the past Obasanjo interregnum, that Nigeria was reduced diplomatically as Hausa-Fulani country, pointing out that all the important foreign missions like those in the United States of America, Germany, China, Britain, France, Japan, Italy, Canada, South Africa, India, Brazil etc were usually manned by them and in few instances with the sprinkle of their Yoruba collaborators.

He alleged that Igbo ambassadors were always posted to obscure corners of the globe, while their counterparts were posted to influential countries.

The release also recalled that since the end of the civil war, the Nigerian government had been a cover of conspiracy and exclusion of Igbos from military positions of authority, influence and sensitivity, adding that Gowon while preaching reconciliation in 1970 had five principal officers, himself (Gowon)and kan-salem, North, Awolowo west. The other two came from the mid-west, there was no Igbo.

Uwazuruike emphasized further that in 1975, Muritala Mohammed formed the Supreme Military Council (SMC). Twelve out of the 21-member council came from the North while East had only Godwin Ndubuisi Kanu as a member.

In 1984 Badamosi Babangida had to replace the Supreme Military Council with the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) The first Military Council in 1985 had 30 members 15 of them from the North.

Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe was the only Igbo man but was removed unceremoniously out of the council membership.

The second AFRC in 1989 had 11 members. Seven of them were from the North. One came from the west and only Maj. Gen Ike Nwachukwu was from the East. The last Babangida’s AFRC in 1992 had 18 members with 10 from the North.

Later Babangida changed AFRC to National Defence and Security Council (NDSC). It had 15 members with only Mr. Clement Akpamgbo from the East.

Abacha’s provisional Ruling council (PRC) in 1993 had 11 members, six came from the North, three from the West, Only Alison Madueke from the East, he was later removed.

Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar who succeeded Gen. Sani Abacha toed the line of his comrades from the North. He did not only exclude Igbos like the others but he made history as the only military head of State who did not pay a working visit to south East.