From Steve Oko, Umuahia
As the struggle for Biafra independence gathers momentum, leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has called for a United Nations – supervised referendum in the territories under the break -away republic.
According to Kanu only a UN -supervised referendum can determine whether or not the people of Biafra truly want to be autonomous or remain in Nigeria.
He challenged the Federal Government to rather organise referendum and give the people the opportunity to decide for themselves instead of using force to suppress the agitation for self-rule.
The IPOB Leader in a press statement signed by the group’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said efforts were on top gear to ensure a UN -supervised referendum was organized in Biafra territories.
“IPOB is making frantic efforts to ensure that this happens in shortest possible time,” he said.
The statement further reads: “It is quite clear and understandable to every citizen of Biafra and indeed the entire world that we need a referendum, where the people will exercise their right on whether or not they want self-rule or continued existence within Nigeria.
“On that fateful day, they will be allowed to exercise their God given right to determine what type of future they want for themselves and their children. Should the powers that be in Nigeria wish, they may also seek to extend the same rights to other indigenous groups within Nigeria.
“UN supervised referendum is a must and a right for every human being in Nigeria to unequivocally state where they wish to belong.
We in IPOB and Biafrans in general expect the United Nations to supervise this referendum which will enable even those living beyond the boundaries of Biafra to equally determine their own fate. We want freedom for all, not just for Biafrans alone.
“We are not going to force or intimidate anyone or tribe because the will of the people is sacrosanct and must be respected. Each individual will be allowed to decide for themselves where they wish to belong.
“The raging Biafra agitation led by our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a divine project and we are confident of securing over 99.9 percent approval any day a referendum is held because more tribes and clans outside the South-East and South South are indicating interest to be recognised as Biafrans.
“The nation of Biafra will be a democratic state where the people will decide what they want. People of various nations in the new republic shall be in charge of their own affairs while the centre will only have control over the defense of the country against ‘external aggression’ and foreign affairs.”
