Nze Francis Onuora, a Special Assistant to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of
Delta State, has lent out his voice in the ongoing Biafra agitation.
Onuora said the Biafra struggle is not a child’s play and therefore
cannot be wished away by those opposing the determination of Igbos in
having their own separate country.
In an interview with the New Telegraph, Onura revealed that the Biafra agitation is an old issue that dates back to 1967 which culminated in the Nigerian Civil War.
“Anyway, the people are saying they need freedom. In fact there is
reason for everything in life, because the Igbos did not just wake up
and ask for their republic. So, if you ask me, I would like to appeal to
the Federal Government to listen to the demand of the Igbos,” Onura
said.
According to him, there is nothing like division among the Igbos in the
struggle for Biafra, and those sowing the seed of discord must surely
fail; “We have always been together in pursuance of the struggle.
“We are not afraid for requesting for the Republic of Biafra. Though
there may be individual differences even if people reacted in various
ways, but I must tell you that Igbos are never afraid of pushing
further. For example, the sit at home order carried out recently that
was successful attested to the fact that Igbos are strongly united in
this struggle.
“In a democratic setting, the majority must have their way. I tell you
the Igbos are one of the majority ethnic groups in the country, but the
winner takes all mentality is a problem. Because we were defeated in the
Nigeria Civil War that lasted three years, we are not getting our fair
share of the national cake.
“The fact is that the Igbos have made up their mind to govern themselves
and there is no going back. One of the things people don’t really know
is that the Igbos are gifted in so many ways. There are a lot of things
we can do but under this present circumstance, it may be difficult
because we (Igbos) are not encouraged.
“If you take special view of the brains behind great nations such as
America, Britain, Israel, Germany, you will find out that some Igbo men
and women are involved. If we have Biafra Republic, a lot of innovations
will come up. So, it is not about denying Igbo the presidency where
such person will be caged and not given free hand to work. A typical
example was ex-President Goodluck Jonathan who was not given free hand
to operate and run the nation. Do you know that the North has 19 states
whereas they are among the three majority ethnic group in the country?
“Is this fair judgment? For instance, the National Assembly members from
the North and South-West are more than those from the South-East. So,
how do you balance the sharp difference if you are talking of equity?
These and many others informed the agitation for the creation of the
Republic of Biafra.
“We are after the creation of Biafra, which we can call our own and where no one will be oppressed and marginalised.
