IN THE NEWSIgbo leaders reject referendum callPublished 2 hours ago on October 9, 2023By Bola. A

The decision by the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) to dialogue with the Federal Government over referendum has elicited reactions from some Igbo leaders.

The leaders, who insisted on political dialogue to end agitations by some Southeast groups, including IPOB, said no sensible Igbo would want the Southeast to exit Nigeria.

The leaders include a one-time Ebonyi State Information Commissioner Chief Abia Onyike; President -General of the Coalition of Southeast Youth Leaders (COSEYL), Goodluck Ibem, a political analyst, Williams Iheakolam an Ohanaeze Ndigbo official as well as an elder statesman, who asked not to be named. IPOB Spokesperson, Emma Powerful, said in a statement on Saturday said the group remained ”open for negotiations and dialogue on peaceful exit of Biafra from Nigeria through a United Nations -supervised referendum.”

“IPOB is ready to meet with the Nigeria government any day they are ready for negotiations on the Biafra referendum, ”Powerful said.

But the Igbo leaders said what most Igbo, including their apex socio-cultural organisation, have always clamoured for was restructuring and not a referendum.

Chief Onyike, who is the acting secretary-general of Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), said it was imperative and urgent for the Federal Government to dialogue with all ethnic nationalities in the country so as to forge a way forward.

Expressing pessimism on government’s readiness to negotiate with IPOB, Onyike called for a return to regional autonomy as was in place in the First Republic.

He said: “That (referendum) has always been the view of IPOB but does the Nigerian Government believe in such (referendum)? The answer is no.

”The problem now is that the right-wing coalition ruling Nigeria does not believe in negotiating with groups agitating for self-determination.

“Nigerian rulers should engage the Igbo and others seeking self-actualisation in dialogue since they have continued to show them that they are second class citizens in the Nigerian federation.

”There should be a reconstitution of the Nigerian state. We should go away from this monolithic federation for regional autonomy as was the case in 1960-1966. The present situation is too oppressive and suffocating.”

COSEYL President Ibem said that “it is the way Igbo are maltreated that gave rise to agitation.

”If the resources and political positions in the country are evenly spread, nobody sane person would wish to exit Nigeria.
”It is because of injustice and unfair treatment that is the bane of separatist struggle all over the world. If things are done well everybody will be happy and feel part of the nation. “

On his part, Iheakolam said he had posited on several occasions that the solution to the crisis in the southeast could be solved through ”political discussion.”

”I am and have been one of the people who believe that the crisis in the Southeast and the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu by the DSS will be solved through a political discussion.

”I want to urge the federal lawmakers and governors from the Southeast to cash into the opportunity to push for a discussion between the federal government and the IPOB.

”It was the same call that the elder statesman, (Sam) Mbadiwe made when some stakeholders from the southeast visited then President Muhammadu Buhari where he asked Buhari to hand Kanu over to him, which never happened.

”That alone could have helped to quell the agitation, nuisance and bloodletting as seen in the southeast by a splinter IPOB group.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that I know knows that the only solution to the trouble in the southeast will be settled politically.

“The Southeast has lost a lot, we need to come to a roundtable regardless of our political and religious affiliations to think the peace of the Southeast first.”

The Ohanaeze official, who pleaded anonymity, said Ohanaeze had been consistent with calls for the restructuring of Nigeria to end the marginalisation of some sections of the country.

Lamenting that the “huge marginalisation” of the Igbo dates back to the 1960s, he wondered why successive governments had not addressed the issues causing agitations by some groups.

He said that Nigeria is not properly structured hence the need for its restructuring.

His words: “For us in Ohanaeze, our interest is for a better and equitable Nigeria, where justice and fair play will reign supreme.

“Ndigbo have had and are still having unmitigated hatred from other tribes in Nigeria, as a result of their industry and perseverance.

”So, we believe that a restructured Nigeria will solve some of these. That’s why we are canvassing for restructuring of Nigeria for the collective interest of the people. Any other call is not part of our mandate,” he said

The elder statesman, who also did not want his name mentioned, said: “We don’t want to exit Nigeria but the way things are being handled in the country, you will wonder if Ndigbo have committed an abominable thing that has made them second-class citizens

”What we need is equity, fairness and justice. Since 1976 till date no Igbo man has occupied any reasonable political position in this country.

“We are not asking for too much, let every political restructuring be balanced, “he said.

Why are all manner of stvpid groups rejecting what should be a decision of the masses?

Even IPOB has said time without number, the decision to secede lies with the people. I believe referendum is meant to ask the people on their position over the agitation. Who knows they may decide to continue in Nigeria.

Most anti BIAFRA people are all exhibiting crass cowardice. None has the courage to give referendum. Unity beggars will be yabbing opata up and down how Igbos will suffer if they secede. People funny for this country sha. Magas

You fail to clean up your post before posting it

They can't accept or support it publicly. But their spirit yearns for Biafra.

They are afraid to "die"

Njamin:
You fail to clean up your post before posting it

noted

.

South East is not serious about Biafra. The call is coming disgruntled and emotional youth.

SpecialAdviser:
Why are all manner of stvpid groups rejecting what should be a decision of the masses?

Even IPOB has said time without number, the decision to secede lies with the people. I believe referendum is meant to ask the people on their position over the agitation. Who knows they may decide to continue in Nigeria.

Most anti BIAFRA people are all exhibiting crass cowardice. None has the courage to give referendum. Unity beggars will be yabbing opata up and down how Igbos will suffer if they secede. People funny for this country sha. Magas

Ignore the fools! The OP that created the thread is obsessed with hunting for negative news on Ndigbo/south-east to post on nairaland, while doing the opposite for the Yoruba/south-west….that should tell you what’s going on here! The main reason these hateful bigots don’t want Ndigbo to leave is not because they love us (nothing could be further from the truth) but because they see Ndigbo as their ‘conquered slaves’ whose human and natural resources are mainly for the benefit of oiling the machinery of their ‘one Nigeria’ and specifically for the benefit of their region and elite!

The cowardly and efulefu Igbo political elite are one of the tools these hegemonic monsters use against Igbo interests and if we’re ever to be a free people, a lot of them would have to be sidelined and rendered insignificant in the region!

Why not accept nd support the referendum call let this issue be brought to an end? It's better to give our Igbo brothers the opportunity to have their say by voting for where they wanna belong to. What are those leaders afraid of?

LOVEALAIGBO:


Ignore the fools! The OP that created the thread is obsessed with hunting for negative news on Ndigbo/south-east to post on nairaland, while doing the opposite for the Yoruba/south-west….that should tell you what’s going on here! The main reason these hateful bigots don’t want Ndigbo to leave is not because they love us (nothing could be further from the truth) but because they see Ndigbo as their ‘conquered slaves’ whose human and natural resources are mainly for the benefit of oiling the machinery of their ‘one Nigeria’ and specifically for the benefit of their region and elite!

The cowardly and efulefu Igbo political elite are one of the tools these hegemonic monsters use against Igbo interests and if we’re ever to be a free people, a lot of them would have to be sidelined and rendered insignificant in the region!

mind yourself oo, I also post good news about the southeast

Confused people

Ipob is an illegal organization that does not speak for Igbo nation.

lexylaw40kuti:
IN THE NEWSIgbo leaders reject referendum callPublished 2 hours ago on October 9, 2023By Bola. A

The decision by the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) to dialogue with the Federal Government over referendum has elicited reactions from some Igbo leaders.

The leaders, who insisted on political dialogue to end agitations by some Southeast groups, including IPOB, said no sensible Igbo would want the Southeast to exit Nigeria.

The leaders include a one-time Ebonyi State Information Commissioner Chief Abia Onyike; President -General of the Coalition of Southeast Youth Leaders (COSEYL), Goodluck Ibem, a political analyst, Williams Iheakolam an Ohanaeze Ndigbo official as well as an elder statesman, who asked not to be named. IPOB Spokesperson, Emma Powerful, said in a statement on Saturday said the group remained ”open for negotiations and dialogue on peaceful exit of Biafra from Nigeria through a United Nations -supervised referendum.”

“IPOB is ready to meet with the Nigeria government any day they are ready for negotiations on the Biafra referendum, ”Powerful said.

But the Igbo leaders said what most Igbo, including their apex socio-cultural organisation, have always clamoured for was restructuring and not a referendum.

Chief Onyike, who is the acting secretary-general of Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), said it was imperative and urgent for the Federal Government to dialogue with all ethnic nationalities in the country so as to forge a way forward.

Expressing pessimism on government’s readiness to negotiate with IPOB, Onyike called for a return to regional autonomy as was in place in the First Republic.

He said: “That (referendum) has always been the view of IPOB but does the Nigerian Government believe in such (referendum)? The answer is no.

”The problem now is that the right-wing coalition ruling Nigeria does not believe in negotiating with groups agitating for self-determination.

“Nigerian rulers should engage the Igbo and others seeking self-actualisation in dialogue since they have continued to show them that they are second class citizens in the Nigerian federation.

”There should be a reconstitution of the Nigerian state. We should go away from this monolithic federation for regional autonomy as was the case in 1960-1966. The present situation is too oppressive and suffocating.”

COSEYL President Ibem said that “it is the way Igbo are maltreated that gave rise to agitation.

”If the resources and political positions in the country are evenly spread, nobody sane person would wish to exit Nigeria.
”It is because of injustice and unfair treatment that is the bane of separatist struggle all over the world. If things are done well everybody will be happy and feel part of the nation. “

On his part, Iheakolam said he had posited on several occasions that the solution to the crisis in the southeast could be solved through ”political discussion.”

”I am and have been one of the people who believe that the crisis in the Southeast and the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu by the DSS will be solved through a political discussion.

”I want to urge the federal lawmakers and governors from the Southeast to cash into the opportunity to push for a discussion between the federal government and the IPOB.

”It was the same call that the elder statesman, (Sam) Mbadiwe made when some stakeholders from the southeast visited then President Muhammadu Buhari where he asked Buhari to hand Kanu over to him, which never happened.

”That alone could have helped to quell the agitation, nuisance and bloodletting as seen in the southeast by a splinter IPOB group.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that I know knows that the only solution to the trouble in the southeast will be settled politically.

“The Southeast has lost a lot, we need to come to a roundtable regardless of our political and religious affiliations to think the peace of the Southeast first.”

The Ohanaeze official, who pleaded anonymity, said Ohanaeze had been consistent with calls for the restructuring of Nigeria to end the marginalisation of some sections of the country.

Lamenting that the “huge marginalisation” of the Igbo dates back to the 1960s, he wondered why successive governments had not addressed the issues causing agitations by some groups.

He said that Nigeria is not properly structured hence the need for its restructuring.

His words: “For us in Ohanaeze, our interest is for a better and equitable Nigeria, where justice and fair play will reign supreme.

“Ndigbo have had and are still having unmitigated hatred from other tribes in Nigeria, as a result of their industry and perseverance.

”So, we believe that a restructured Nigeria will solve some of these. That’s why we are canvassing for restructuring of Nigeria for the collective interest of the people. Any other call is not part of our mandate,” he said

The elder statesman, who also did not want his name mentioned, said: “We don’t want to exit Nigeria but the way things are being handled in the country, you will wonder if Ndigbo have committed an abominable thing that has made them second-class citizens

”What we need is equity, fairness and justice. Since 1976 till date no Igbo man has occupied any reasonable political position in this country.

“We are not asking for too much, let every political restructuring be balanced, “he said.

Fake News
No source link.

SyrusdeHansome:
Why not accept nd support the referendum call let this issue be brought to an end? It's better to give our Igbo brothers the opportunity to have their say by voting for where they wanna belong to. What are those leaders afraid of?

Is there a referendum call?

muykem:
South East is not serious about Biafra. The call is coming disgruntled and emotional youth.

give referendum and find out this

.

Razgas:
give referendum and find out this

There are conditions to meet before referendum.
1. The proposed countries must have a definite boundary.
2. The leaders of communities within the boundary must request for referendum I.e religion leaders, traditional rulers, political leaders among others.
3. The people mentioned above will be holding meetings and filing their minutes.
4. They will form committees to negotiate the conutry government and international community.

.

LOVEALAIGBO:


Ignore the fools! The OP that created the thread is obsessed with hunting for negative news on Ndigbo/south-east to post on nairaland, while doing the opposite for the Yoruba/south-west….that should tell you what’s going on here! The main reason these hateful bigots don’t want Ndigbo to leave is not because they love us (nothing could be further from the truth) but because they see Ndigbo as their ‘conquered slaves’ whose human and natural resources are mainly for the benefit of oiling the machinery of their ‘one Nigeria’ and specifically for the benefit of their region and elite!

The cowardly and efulefu Igbo political elite are one of the tools these hegemonic monsters use against Igbo interests and if we’re ever to be a free people, a lot of them would have to be sidelined and rendered insignificant in the region!

You just spoke my mind. Nigeria is an evil empire hidden from the world. We need to expose their atrocious acts against the Igbos.

COSEYL abi?



LOL


Nonsense attention seekers

.

muykem:
There are conditions to meet before referendum.
1. The proposed countries must have a definite boundary.
2. The leaders of communities within the boundary must request for referendum I.e religion leaders, traditional rulers, political leaders among others.
3. The people mentioned above will be holding meetings and filing their minutes.
4. They will form committees to negotiate the conutry government and international community.

I agree that boundary is still an issue but the remaining 3 are currently on going. As for me, Igboland should be the boundary

SpecialAdviser:
Why are all manner of stvpid groups rejecting what should be a decision of the masses?

Even IPOB has said time without number, the decision to secede lies with the people. I believe referendum is meant to ask the people on their position over the agitation. Who knows they may decide to continue in Nigeria.

Most anti BIAFRA people are all exhibiting crass cowardice. None has the courage to give referendum. Unity beggars will be yabbing opata up and down how Igbos will suffer if they secede. People funny for this country sha. Magas

Is it not the decision of the masses to say who governs them and who speaks for them? Where did ndigbo vote to chose ipob, Nnamdi kanu, simon ekpa and other riffraffs as leaders and spokespersons? First apply ur questions to the people u support..

who made them leaders

Why all these Ibo leaders are just uselessly idiots
Common sense they don’t have

COOOOOORECT.
LET US ADOPT FAPRES FOTCS AND CTC FOCS TRFG NOW PLEASE.

I don't understand why people think If they are allowed to secede things will change? With the prevalence of illiterates in Nigeria with unrealistic expectations, if the SE is allowed to secede, within a year, the bulk of them will start abusing their leaders on the internet.

Since 1999 indigenous south easterners have been at the helm of affairs in their states, what has changed? Even peter obi that is being touted as a messiah was governor, why didn't he satisfy the yearnings of his people in that state he governed?

In the next 20 years, secession or no secession, there's no light at the end of the tunnel for African countries.

..

paramakina202:
Ipob is an illegal organization that does not speak for Igbo nation.

yo

Are the group not from the masses ?!
Igbo elected officials are also from the masses.

A few miscreant like Kanu n his other foolish ipob lunatics can not henceforth what the majority does not want

If majority do not want Nigeria no one will tell them not to vote in Nigeria election like they voted the Pandora Criminal Alex Otti n others so shit it.

SpecialAdviser:
Why are all manner of stvpid groups rejecting what should be a decision of the masses?

Even IPOB has said time without number, the decision to secede lies with the people. I believe referendum is meant to ask the people on their position over the agitation. Who knows they may decide to continue in Nigeria.

Most anti BIAFRA people are all exhibiting crass cowardice. None has the courage to give referendum. Unity beggars will be yabbing opata up and down how Igbos will suffer if they secede. People funny for this country sha. Magas

Na wa oo