Ukaegbu Ukaegbu, (NIGERIA MOMENT).
The issues relating to the Biafra restoration would be dealt with using International (United Nations and African Union) and local (Nigeria) laws. The Nigerian government has said that Biafra agitation is legitimate.
Many pro and anti-Biafra commentators have used the phrase “Niger Delta” either to describe themselves or others or a given area in Nigeria. That brings us to what the Nigerian Law says about Niger Delta.
The Nigerian law on Niger Delta is contained in “Niger-Delta Development Commission 2000 Act No 6”
The NDDC 2000 Act No. 6 defines Niger Delta as consisting of the following member States: Abia, Akwa-lbom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers.
On the other hand, one of the Ijaw leaders Muhajid Asari Dokubo was quoted as saying “Niger Delta is Biafra”. Even though Ondo State is currently part of Niger Delta, it is not part of Biafra according to the old Eastern Region. Ondo is part of the old Western Region. Moreover, not all Biafra States are in Niger Delta as defined. For example, Anambra, Enugu and Ebony are all Biafran States.
In an effort to distance himself from Biafra, one commentator wrote: “The Niger Delta is not part of Igboland and definitely NOT a part of Biafra”.
In my view, the Igbo people are not coercing (forcing) or begging any other tribe that were part of the Eastern Region to belong to Biafra. It is entirely up to every ethnic group to speak up for themselves as far as self-determination issue is concerned.
However, no ethnic group in the present day Nigeria can stop Biafra agitation and its ultimate restoration. That is why REFERENDUM is required to enable everyone and ethnic group to decide where they wish to belong.
Your choice to be Nigerian cannot interfere with or supersede another person’s choice to be Biafran and vice-versa. Once again that is why REFERENDUM is necessary.
REFERENDUM simply means that you would have the opportunity to decide via your VOTE on where you believe you should belong. Why should that be a problem to any peace loving person who believes in democracy?
No comments:
Post a Comment