Biafra Provisional Government
The Biafran Provisional Government (BPG) is created and formed by the
authority of the
Biafra Charter of May 30 2007; and as a mandate of the same Charter.
The relevant section of the Charter is excerpted below (item # 5.) Biafra
Government in Exile (BGIE) is an arm of BPG.
This page is organized in numbered
sections:
-
Event announcement for (event)
Declaration of BGIE
-
The Event itself--the declaration
text link (audio coming)
-
A Report of the Event by South
Africa Broadcasting Corporation
-
Statement of Re-affirmation of
Original Biafra Independence Declaration
-
Relevant Excerpts from the Biafra
Charter in support of BGIE Declaration
-
Original Text of Declaration of
BGIE
Related link:
The Biafra Charter
1. Announcement for
Declaration of Biafra Government in Exile (BGIE)
For
Immediate
Release
August
28, 2007
CONTACT: Nze
Patrick
Achimuagole
Phone
(202) 508-3795;
Fax (202)
508-3759
Email:
BiafraFoundation@vahoo.com
New Biafra
Provisional Government Announcement
On May 30,
2007, The Nation of Biafra, its Provinces and Peoples resolved to actualize,
renew, reaffirm and continue with the Declaration of Biafra lndependence from
Nigeria. During a press event being held in Washington, D.C., Dr. Emanuel
Enekwechi, on behalf of the signatories, will unveil The Biafra Proclamation of
Sovereignty and lndependence. "This is our Declaration to the rest of the
world," says Dr. Enekwechi, [that] "we are exercising our right to
Self-Determination and Self-Governance and we seek support in making this
transition towards freedom and liberty, a reality for 40 million Biafrans"
The authors of the Declaration strongly
support the right of Self-Determination and have issued a mandate for the
creation and formation of a Biafra Provisional Government. The mandate states a
government of Self-Determination shall function as the bona fide government of
Biafra to: 1) secure the freedom and liberty of Biafra and its Peoples; 2)
represent the sovereignty and interests of Biafra globally; 3) engage in
international relations and diplomacy; 4) ensure the National security of Biafra
and its Peoples; 5) seek diplomatic status for Biafra; 6) mediate global trade
negotiations and other economic development venues; and 17) exercise the right
to Freedom of Religion.
In 1967, the Nigerian government opposed the declaration of Biafra as
a sovereign state
and declared war. A few years later, the war ended but ethnic genocidal
cleansing of the Biafrans continues today. In 1999, in response to the genocide,
the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) was
formed on non-violent principles. High-ranking officials, as well as other
members of MASSOB, remain imprisoned throughout Nigeria.
"Now is
the
time", say
the
signers, "that
the Peoples
and
Nation of
Biafra make
an
appeal here
today to
the
World to support
the end
of
human rights
violations
and persecution
of our
People
who are
in
search of
the Rights
to
Freedom, Liberty
and
Self-Determination".
************************
For additional information on Biafra, please visit the Biafra Foundation website at: http://www.biafraland.com A Weekly Radio Program airs on Fridays on the Voice of Biafra International (VOBI). VOBI is
a short wave broadcast service transmitting on 15.67 MHz (on 19 MeterBand) at 2000-2100 Hours UTC., equivalent to 9.00-1000 pm Biafraland Time
Biafra Foundation
1629 K
Street, NW,
Suite
300,
Washington,
DC 20036
PHONE (202)
508-3795 FAX
(202)5083759
BiafraFoundation@yahoo.com
2.
DECLARATION OF BIAFRA GOVERNMENT IN EXILE (BGIE)
(Full text item # 6
below)
3. Report of Declaration of BGIE by SABC
(South African Broadcasting Corporation)
.mov version
(QuickTime Player Required
Download free)
.avi
version
4.
Reaffirmation of Original Biafra Declaration:
The Declaration of Biafra
Independence,
Tuesday May 30, 1967:
A Recommittal to the
Declaration of Biafra Independence,
Wednesday, May 30, 2007.
Fellow Biafrans:
Forty years following the original declaration of Biafra
Independence, we Biafrans rise today to re-commit ourselves to this noble
declaration, its spirit, substance and implications, our Independence being our
right and our destiny, and a manifestation and symbolism of our Freedom and
Liberty.
Those forty years have validated the wisdom and propriety
of the declaration of Biafra Independence: these forty years do now compel the
re-actualization of Independent Biafra.
Having witnessed and experienced, all these years, the
unrelenting stranglehold of Nigeria on Biafra;
Unwilling to continue to suffer under the pernicious
polices of Nigeria against Biafra and Biafrans;
Certain that a future under Nigeria, based on past and
present facts and realities, does not exist for us Biafrans, except as exploited
and dehumanized slaves rendered worthless as human beings;
Understanding that, in any case, Nigeria is a failed State
barely kept going by mocking and unconscionable patronization by outside
Stakeholder-Powers and Principalities; and refusing to allow ourselves to be
throttled and dragged down with Nigeria;
Now, therefore, we,
the people and Nation of Biafra, do DECLARE THAT:
(i)
We re-affirm the original declaration of the
Independence of Biafra
(ii)
We are taking charge of our own collective
Destiny as an Independent Sovereign Nation of Biafra
(iii)
We undertake the actualizing of Independent
Biafra as a natural task to claim a Natural right
(iv)
We know that the Law and Rules of civil Humanity
are on our side: Self Determination is an inalienable Natural right; it is
recognized in the United Nations Charter; we exercise this right to actualize
Independent Biafra.
In making and re-affirming this declaration, we make
neither war, nor peace, with Nigeria: we merely exercise our right as a people
and a nation, which is our prerogative, and of which there is plenty of
precedence. It is our desire to enter into negotiations with Nigeria to resolve
“negotiables” peacefully.
An Independent Biafra restores stability and security to
the region, allowing the people and their environment to heal and finally to
thrive, while at the same time, creating a favorable climate for International
business and commerce.
An Independent Biafra is a fresh infusion of Hope for
Africa which we are determined to turn into fulfillment for all.
Long live the Independent Nation of Biafra!
And may God continue to protect her and all those who live
in her.
The Original Declaration of Biafra Independence
The Declaration of Independence Tuesday, May 30, 1967
Fellow countrymen and women, YOU, the people of Eastern Nigeria:
CONSCIOUS of the supreme authority of Almighty God over all mankind, of your
duty to yourselves and prosperity;
AWARE that you can no longer be protected in your lives and in your property by
any Government based outside eastern Nigeria;
BELIEVING that you are born free and have certain inalienable rights which can
best be preserved by yourselves;
UNWILLING to be unfree partners in any association of a political or economic
nature;
REJECTING the authority of any person or persons other than the Military
Government of eastern Nigeria to make any imposition of whatever kind or nature
upon you;
DETERMINED to dissolve all political and other ties between you and the former
Federal Republic of Nigeria;
PREPARED to enter into such association, treaty or alliance with any sovereign
state within the former Federal Republic of Nigeria and elsewhere on such terms
and conditions as best to subserve your common good;
AFFIRMING your trust and confidence in ME;
HAVING mandated ME to proclaim on your behalf, and in your name the Eastern
Nigeria be a sovereign independent Republic,
NOW THEREFORE I, Lieutenant-Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Military
Governor of Eastern Nigeria, by virtue of the authority, and pursuant to the
principles recited above, do hereby solemnly proclaim that the territory and
region known as and called Eastern Nigeria together with her continental shelf
and territorial waters shall henceforth be an independent sovereign state of the
name and title of THE REPUBLIC OF BIAFRA.
AND I DO DECLARE THAT:
(i) All political ties between us and the Federal Republic of Nigeria are hereby
totally dissolved.
(ii) All subsisting contractual obligations entered into by the Government of
the federal republic of Nigeria or by any person, authority, organization or
government acting on its behalf, with any person, authority or organization
operating, or relating to any matter or thing, within the Republic of Biafra,
shall henceforth be deemed to be entered into with the Military Governor of the
Republic of Biafra for and on behalf of the Government and people of of the
Republic of Biafra, and the covenants thereof shall, subject to this
Declaration, be performed by the parties according to their tenor;
(iii) All subsisting international treaties and obligations made on behalf of
Eastern Nigeria by the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be
honored and respected;
(iv) Eastern Nigeria's due share of all subsisting international debts and
obligations entered into by the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
shall be honored and respected;
(v) Steps will be taken to to open discussions on the question of Eastern
Nigeria's due share of the assets of the Federation of Nigeria and personal
properties of the citizens of Biafra throughout the Federation of Nigeria.
(vi) The rights, privileges, pensions, etc., of all personnel of the Public
Services, the Armed Forces and the Police now serving in any capacity within the
Republic of Biafra are hereby guaranteed;
(vii) We shall keep the door open for association with, and would welcome, any
sovereign unit or units in the former Federation of Nigeria or any other parts
of Africa desirous of association with us for the purposes of running a common
services organization and for the establishment of economic ties;
(viii) We shall protect the lives and property of all foreigners residing in
Biafra, we shall extend the hand of friendship to those nations who respect our
sovereignty, and shall repel any interference in our internal affairs;
(ix) We shall faithfully adhere to the charter of the Organization of African
Unity and of the United Nations Organization;
(x) It is our intention to remain a member of the British Commonwealth of
Nations in our right as a sovereign, independent nation.
Long live the Republic of Biafra!
And may God protect all those who live in her.
A.
Biafra
Charter Authorization
Whereas the Peoples and Nation of Biafra and their land and
property find themselves under physical, sociologic, political, economic and
psychological subjugation by the State of Nigeria since 1967, a "state of
occupation," by Nigeria,
of Biafra, has existed and continues to exist.
Unwilling to continue to live under such stifling servitude
while suffering such indignities as are inappropriate for human beings,
determined to exercise the natural and legal rights to
Freedom and Liberty,
NOW,
therefore, We,
- the Peoples of the Federation of Biafra have RESOLVED
to actualize, renew, re-affirm and continue with the Declaration of Biafra
Independence of May 30 1967, with all the implications thereof.
- In re-affirming the Independence of Biafra, the
Peoples and Nation of Biafra make neither war, nor peace, with the State or
peoples of Nigeria; rather, we exercise a Natural right, a Popular
right, a Political right, and a right supported by United Nations
Organization Charter and International laws—the right of Self Determination;
- in the certain realization that only the effective
exercise of Self-Determination by the
Peoples and Nation of Biafra will end the state of occupation and
subjugation by Nigeria of Biafra.
In furtherance of this exercise, the Biafra Charter, a
formal organ of the People and Nation of Biafra, lends authority to, and issues
a mandate for, the creation and formation of a
Biafra Provisional Government (BPG).
1.
BIAFRA
PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT (BPG)
-
MANDATE of BPG:
1.
to create, form, operate and manage a Provisional Government for and by
the Peoples and Nation of Biafra; such government:
2.
to function, in the meantime, as a bona fide government of Biafra in the
manner of legal, customary and decent governments;
3.
to secure the Freedom and Liberty of Biafra and its peoples from
occupation by Nigeria, based on Self Determination paradigm and principles, with
all haste and by all means necessary;
4.
to represent the Sovereignty and Interests of Biafra and its people in
the Region and in the World at large;
5.
to project the Sovereignty,
Independence
and Humanity of Biafra and its people at all times;
6.
to constitute a Transitional Governance of Biafra (TGB) immediately after
liberation of Biafra from Nigeria for a
specified and finite duration not to exceed four years, pending the
formalization of Biafra State
structures post-occupation and post liberation.
-
STRUCTURE of BPG:
The BIAFRA PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT shall consist of 2 arms:
1.
A Biafra Government in Exile (BGIE), based
outside of Biafra
2.
A Biafra Government within Biafra, to be known as
"Biafra Shadow Government" (BSG)
Both arms shall function in tight coordination, and in
harmony, with the BGIE in the apex role.
-
FUNCTION of BPG:
The sole function of BGIE and BSG is to carry out the
Mandate of the BIAFRA PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT as stated in the Biafra Charter
Authorization.
1.
BGIE shall respect existing laws of International
hosting countries in furtherance of this Mandate.
2.
BGIE shall respect international laws dealing
with Self Determination and Protection of Human Rights and rely in particular on
the Geneva Conventions Protocol II.
3.
BSG will work with our peoples at home—in Biafra
Territory; and in Nigeria (cognizant of the State of Nigeria's occupational
forces foisted over our people), to keep alive and project Biafra's Sovereignty
and Independence in accordance with the Mandate, and to mobilize, organize and
manage our people for sociopolitical activism in order to carry out our resolve
for Self Determination.
4.
At all times, BGIE and BSG functions are to be
well-coordinated, harmonious, complementary and seamless.
5.
Following the liberation of Biafra from Nigeria,
the Biafra Provisional Government (BPG) (consisting of BGIE and BSG together)
shall form the nucleus of the TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENT of Biafra (TGB), under the
direction of the peoples of the Nation of Biafra, in order to conduct the
governmental affairs of Biafra, guided by the Biafra Charter, for a period not
to exceed 4 years, during which Biafra puts formal structures in place to
continue and to succeed as a Nation under a permanent Constitution of the Nation
of Biafra.
-
CONDUCT:
The conduct of the BIAFRA PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT shall, at
all times, adhere to the basic principles and laws of the Biafra Charter.
-
TERM:
The term of the BIAFRA PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT (BPG) shall
last from now, May 30 2007 until Biafra is fully liberated from Nigerian
occupation. Immediately after the full liberation of Biafra, the Biafra
Provisional Government shall transform into the Transitional Government of
Biafra (TGB) during which Biafra sociopolitical and civic structures shall be
put in place, a period not to exceed four years. At the conclusion of that
period, the Transitional Government of Biafra (TGB) shall, unconditionally,
cease to exist; and shall be replaced by
a duly constituted Government of Biafra, following a Constitutional Conference.
BIAFRA GOVERNMENT IN EXILE:
A DECLARATION.
Being part of the official announcement declaring a Biafra Provisional
Government in Exile and held at the United States National Press Club in
Washington DC, United States of America on August 28, 2007.
DECLARATION:
There comes a time in the
life of a people when their physical survival; their dignity, fundamental human
rights, and indeed the very essence of their being endowed on them by their
creator and guaranteed under natural and international laws supersede all
temporary comfort, and demand unreserved and unmitigated action in defense of
these God-given rights. For the peoples of Biafra,
that time is now.
Whereas the peoples and
Nation of Biafra and their land and property find themselves under physical,
economic, political, sociologic and psychological subjugation by the State of
Nigeria since 1967; a “state of occupation” of Biafra
by Nigeria has
existed and continues to exist. Unwilling to continue to live under such
stifling servitude while suffering such indignities as are inappropriate for
human beings; determined to exercise the natural and legal rights to Freedom and
Liberty,
We the peoples of the
Federation of Biafra have resolved to actualize, renew, reaffirm and continue
with the Declaration of Biafra Independence of
May 30 1967, with all the implications thereof.
In reaffirming the
independence of Biafra, the Peoples and Nation of Biafra make neither war,
nor peace with the State or peoples of Nigeria. Rather we exercise a
Natural right, a political right and a right supported by the United Nations
Organization Charter and international laws – the right of Self-Determination.
The peoples of Biafra are taking this action in
certain realization that only the effective exercise of Self- Determination by
the peoples and Nation of Biafra will end the state of occupation, subjugation,
and persecution by Nigeria.
In furtherance of this
exercise the peoples and Nation of Biafra have issued a mandate for the creation
and formation of a Biafra Provisional
Government in Exile. Such a government shall function as the bona fide
government of Biafra to:
·
Secure the Freedom and
Liberty of Biafra and its peoples;
·
Represent the Sovereignty
and Interests of Biafra throughout the world;
·
Engage in international
relationships and diplomacy with Governments, States, Nations and Organizations;
·
Organize for the security
of the peoples, properties and land of Biafrans;
·
Obtain diplomatic
recognition for the Sovereign State of Biafra;
·
Organize the negotiation
of trade and other economic activities on behalf of the peoples of Biafra.
The peoples and Nation of Biafra
appeal to all Governments, Peoples, States, Nations, Organizations and
Individuals world wide to support the long persecuted peoples of Biafra in their
struggle for Freedom, Liberty and Self-Determination.
BACKGROUND
This exercise of self-determination
is a direct expression of the will of the people of Biafra.
It is an ongoing process that began in 1966 after a genocidal pogrom and ethnic
cleansing exercise directed against all the peoples of then Eastern Nigerian,
culminating in the declaration of the sovereign state of
Biafra
in 1967 when Biafra was forced to separate from
Nigeria.
Nigeria
immediately declared war on Biafra, blockaded
her by land, sea and air and starved more than one million children to death.
When, following the end of the war in 1970, Nigeria resorted back to the same
mistreatment of Biafrans that led to the declaration of
Biafra
in the first place, the will of the people of Biafra
to leave Nigeria
for good only hardened. Since 1970, Biafra has
tried acquiescence to accommodate and be accommodated by Nigeria in the
illusory thinking that this would bring reprieve from Nigeria’s harsh
treatment, and persecution, and maintain peace. However, Nigeria
remained relentless in its vindictive policies against the people of Biafra, and in its total suppression and denial of the
basic human rights of Biafrans. This is in spite of the fact that Biafrans tried
harder than any other groups to integrate themselves into the Nigerian citizenry
and polity, but all to no avail.
In response to this ongoing
dehumanization and rejection of Biafrans by
Nigeria, MASSOB (the Movement for the
Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra), a non-violent movement, was
formed, in 1999 with an agenda consistent with the name. The distinguishing
quality of MASSOB is its strict adherence to non-violence, in the tradition of
Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. MASSOB has sought dialogue with the
Nigerian government, but has instead been “rewarded” with unjustified detention
and jailing without charge, extrajudicial murder of its membership, constant
harassment, and destruction of membership and organizational property by
Nigerian Army, Paramilitary Police and security agents. Several other liberation
movements have since sprang up. Chief Ralph Uwazurike, an attorney and the
leader of MASSOB, and several high-ranking MASSOB officials, as well as many
rank-and-file MASSOB members, and members of other Liberation Movements are
currently being held in various Nigerian jails. MASSOB and its leadership as
well as these other liberation movements enjoy enormous support of the masses of
the people of Biafra.
Self-determination for the People of Biafra:
Biafra,
a nation of some 40 million people, has for almost 40 years suffered incessant
exploitation, humiliation, dehumanization, oppression and genocide at the hands
of Nigeria
in a calculated and deliberate agenda to permanently and perpetually subjugate
the people and obliterate their culture.
Self-determination in any form is a
right recognized by and accepted in International law and many other
International and regional instruments
Biafra
has a population of over 40 million people, and
1. a common historical tradition
dating to times prior to European colonization,
2. a racial and ethnic identity well
distinguishable from the rest of
Nigeria,
3. cultural homogeneity which
distinguishes its people apart from the rest of
Nigeria,
4. linguistic unity, with a major
language, minor languages, and a lingua franca,
5. religious affinity, the dominant
religion being Christianity,
6. ideological affinity,
7. distinct, contiguous
territoriality, and
8. a common sociopolitical and
economic life.
In addition, the population as whole
naturally sees and considers itself as a people bound by common ancestry,
sociopolitical ties and destiny; hence, the people
exhibit
the will and consciousness of being a people.
The primary reason driving the
self-determination form and effort of the people of Biafra
is the imperative to provide the traditional existential human needs of freedom,
liberty, survival and prosperity of our people. Yet, the reason for Self
Determination for Biafra goes well beyond human needs; the aforementioned
structure of Nigeria, put together by its colonial master and inherited as such,
is a forced amalgamation of peoples and nations who were never suited, and are
still not suited to be lumped together as one nation in the first place. The
architect of the amalgamation, the British Lord Lugard, stated 100 years ago,
that such a “union” would never work—that “Easterners [Biafrans] and Northerners
were like oil and water and would never mix.” He was right then. He is still
right at this time. The problem is that Nigeria is pretending to make it work,
using all manner of force and intimidation, buoyed by the support of other
self-interested parties who benefit from the ongoing resultant dysfunctional and
pathologic status of the state of Nigeria.
-
Security of Person:
Biafrans are killed on a daily basis
all over Nigeria,
including occupied Biafra. Most
times, it is extrajudicial killing by
the Nigerian Army, Paramilitary Police, Nigeria Armed Security Agencies, and Nigeria’s Secret
Death Squads. Even when such is admitted by the State of Nigeria’s killing
machinery, there is no inquest, no accountability, no explanation, no apologies,
no proper trials, no convictions, no remorse, no compensation. Lately, MASSOB
members have borne the brunt of these unconscionable acts. In one such operation
in Onitsha
in April 2006, more than 700 innocent Biafran men and women were murdered, and
hundreds of innocent women and girls were gang raped by Nigerian soldiers.
Christian Biafrans are also targeted
and killed en masse, in carefully orchestrated “riots” in Fundamentalist Islamic
Northern Nigeria, with a frightening cycle and staggering toll. In more than 25
such carefully organized attacks it is estimated that more than one hundred
thousand (100,000) people have been killed. For each death of a Biafran
resulting from the above, at least ten times have been injured, maimed,
displaced and or unaccounted for.
Although this atrocious activity
qualifies as Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing, the international community has yet
to react.
-
Security of Property:
There is no respect for the property
or property-rights of the Biafran. The Nigerian Police routinely destroys the
homes and property of Biafrans especially those identified as working for
self-determination. The home of the leader of MASSOB has been burned down and
ransacked several times. In Onitsha
the Nigeria Army used helicopter gun ships to bomb private homes that innocent
Biafran civilians labored so hard to build.
The
Lagos
State government razed
business stalls and markets built and maintained by Biafrans living in that
State, without reason, without compensation, and threatened to burn down more
such structures.
In Fundamentalist Islamic Northern
Nigeria, during the aforementioned rampages, Northern civilians and security
agents would selectively target, loot, burn and destroy the business and
personal property of Biafrans residing in Northern Nigeria, as well as Christian
Churches where Biafrans worship. More than three hundred Churches have been
burned in Northern Nigerian in the past ten years alone. A foreigner living in
Northern Nigeria once remarked: “The killing of the Igbo (Biafrans)
has become an industry in Northern Nigeria.”
Over one million Biafrans have been forced to flee from
Northern Nigeria and relocate to Biafra
and other parts of Africa. It is obvious that
Biafrans are not welcome in a country in which they are supposed to be citizens.
-
Genocide and Ethnic cleansing.
The first massive state-organized and
state-directed Pogrom, Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing directed against Biafrans
(the people of Eastern Nigerian at that time) by Nigeria occurred in 1966, in
Northern Nigeria especially, but also in Western Nigeria. The massacre of
Biafrans has continued to date. More than 100,000 Biafrans have been killed by
Nigerians since 1980. Not only has the
State of Nigeria participated directly in this crime against humanity, it has
also maintained an enabling environment which facilitates and encourages
Nigerians and State governments to kill and maim Biafrans at will, destroy the
property of Biafrans and uproot Biafrans wherever they may be found in Nigeria.
By making no efforts at all to investigate and bring to justice individual and
corporate offenders in these crimes, the State of Nigeria has proved that it
places no value on the life and property of Biafrans living in Nigeria; worse
still, the State of Nigeria has proven that it has a vested interest in the
destruction of Biafrans.
-
Economic Security:
The
government of
Nigeria
has banned or blocked or stifled legitimate economic activities in which there
is a preponderance of Biafran owners. Government orchestrated stifling of
economic activity in Biafra has resulted in
very high incidence of unemployment among the youths and other people of working
age.
One of the worst acts of economic
injustice ever seen is the blatant refusal of the government of Nigeria to allow the peoples of Biafra access to the finances accruing from the sale of
Petroleum and Natural Gas derived from their private ancestral land. The
leadership of the Nigerian State has used the money derived from Biafra to
develop Abuja, Lagos and other parts of Northern and Western Nigeria and to set
up billion dollar personal fortunes in banks in Europe, America and the other
parts of the world while leaving the people of Biafra (Eastern Region) from
where the Oil money is derived to live in poverty, penury, and squalor and die
slow miserable deaths. Authoritative reports of $4 billion stolen between
December 2004 and April 2007; $3 billion stolen by the NNPC and the Nigerian
President; $2 billion dollars disappearing between the United Kingdom
and Bermuda are common news items in Nigeria. A
highly placed Nigerian government official stated that the rulers of Nigeria have
stolen over $400 billion dollars since 1970.
-
Environmental Security:
The most obvious and salient example
of environmental terrorism directed against the
people of Biafra
by the State of Nigeria relates to oil exploration in the Niger Delta region of Biafra. With total disregard for the environment and for
the people who live in the area, the State of Nigeria has failed to make even
minimal effort to combat what otherwise would have been manageable ecological
fallout from oil exploration. Streams and rivers have been badly polluted;
drinking water and marine life have been devastated. Gas flaring has caused acid
rain, birth defects and even mental illnesses in the inhabitants of the Niger
Delta. The Nigerian government does not care and does not want to know. All it
wants is to steal the billions of dollars derived from the oil and walk away
leaving the people to their misery.
-
Political Security - Democracy.
For
Biafrans the right to express their collective and individual political will
using the ballot system has traditionally been just as primal as the basic
individual right of being. Biafrans put utmost premium in their ability to elect
their own leaders, to hold them accountable and to remove them if they fail to
perform the functions for which they were elected. Since the amalgamation of the
peoples of Biafra
with Nigeria
this very important aspect of Biafran culture has been truncated time and time
again. Biafrans have a long history of democracy dating thousands of years; the
peoples of Western Nigeria have a long history
of monarchy dating thousands of years and the peoples of
Northern Nigeria have a long history of feudalism dating thousands
of years. It has been impossible to melt these three distinct cultures into one.
The April 2007 elections in
Nigeria
adjudged by national and international election monitors to be the worst
election in the history of the world informs unbiased observers of the terrible
tyranny that Biafrans have been forced to bear in their association with Nigeria. The
2003 elections in Nigeria
were judged by national and international election monitors to be equally
fraudulent with Biafrans always being the most victimized.
-
Freedom of Religion:
The population of Biafra is about 95%
Christian. However, the Muslim Northern domination of power affords them the
means and opportunity to run Nigeria as primarily a Muslim nation. Nigeria was
registered as a member of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), in the
1980’s, without consulting with,
and without the consent of the
Christians of Nigeria. Recently, the Nigerian state allowed Fundamentalist
Islamic Sharia law to be introduced in thirteen of the nineteen states in
Northern Nigeria
and three of the six stated in Western Nigeria.
The Fundamental Islamic Sharia law is now applied equally to both Muslims and
Christians, despite strong protests from Christian Biafrans. Since Biafrans (who
are non-Muslim) have the biggest non-Muslim presence in
Northern Nigeria, it does not take much to discern who as a group
would be found without rights and treated as such in
Northern Nigeria. The State of Nigeria looks the other way while
government institutions such as the police and the courts are used to impose
Fundamentalist Islamic Sharia law on Christian Biafrans living in Northern and
Western Nigeria. Several Moslem Nigerian leaders from Northern and
Western Nigeria have declared openly that they will Islamize
Christian Biafrans by force. Christian Biafran children have been abducted and
forcibly converted to Islam or married off against their will to Islamic
fundamentalists. The people of Biafra thus feel
trapped by the State of Nigeria, encaged on purpose and left helpless, readied
for easy victimization and forced Islamization by determined Islamic
Fundamentalists bent on swallowing up everything in their path.
Finally:
The primary function of government is
the protection of its citizens and their property. Whenever a government which
is meant to protect the people turns around and persecutes and destroys a people
and their culture; the people it was meant to protect; the people reserve the
right to take steps to establish a different political and administrative
arrangement that will guarantee the safety and security of their lives and
property. This is the case for Biafra.
Thank you all for coming and may God
bless the People and Nation of Biafra.
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