From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
Comrade Uche Mefor, the Convenor of the Igbo-Biafra Nationalists and the Indigenous People of Igbo Nation for Self-Determination is insisting that resilience of the Biafran spirit is a testament to the indomitable will of a people bound by a shared history, culture, and an unyielding commitment to justice, equity, and self-determination.
Mefor pointed out that, despite decades of alleged systemic oppression, extrajudicial killings, unlawful arrests, and the ceaseless spread of lies and deception by the Nigerian state, the Biafran ideology persists, transcending generations as a beacon of hope and resistance.
He recalled that the enduring spirit is rooted in the ethos of equity, fairness, and justice, and cannot be extinguished by force or subjugation.
According to him, ” the core and idea of Biafra represents, a demand for justice and recognition of the inherent rights of the Igbo-Biafran people. It is a response to the historical injustices meted out to the South-East region, a region systematically marginalised and subjected to acts of ethnic cleansing and violations of human rights.
“These atrocities, perpetuated by the Nigerian state, have only served to strengthen the resolve of the Biafran people and amplify their call for self-determination as a remedial measure against the continued denial of equity and fairness” .
The Nigerian State’s Ostrich Approach
The Nigerian authorities’ response to the Biafran movement has been to deny, suppress, and attempt to obliterate the ideological foundation of Biafra through coercion and violence. Arrests, detentions, and the extrajudicial killings of Biafra activists are not only morally reprehensible but also counterproductive.
Such actions fail to address the root causes of the agitation, namely, the entrenched historical injustices and systemic marginalisation of the South-East region. Instead, these oppressive measures have reinforced the validity of the Biafran struggle and galvanised greater support for the movement.
History has shown that ideologies rooted in the principles of justice and equity cannot be crushed by force. The idea of Biafra has evolved into a powerful narrative of resilience and survival. It is no longer just a geographical or political concept but an enduring symbol of the Igbo-Biafran people’s quest for self-determination and a future built on equality and justice.
Remedial Secession as a Last Resort
The persistent refusal of the Nigerian state to address the grievances of the Igbo-Biafran people has made remedial secession an increasingly viable option. Self-determination, as enshrined in international law, is not just a right but a necessary remedy for groups subjected to systemic oppression and gross violations of human rights. The Nigerian government’s unwillingness to engage in genuine dialogue or to implement measures that promote national unity and equity has left the Biafran people with little choice but to seek autonomy as a means of safeguarding their dignity, rights, and identity.
The Igbo-Biafran Nationalists and the Indigenous People of Igbo Nation for Self-Determination firmly assert that the idea of Biafra will ultimately outlive Nigeria. As long as the Nigerian state continues to perpetrate crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing, and the suppression of fundamental freedoms, the Biafran spirit will remain unyielding. The resilience of the Biafran people is a reflection of their determination to create a society founded on justice and equity—a vision that stands in stark contrast to the systemic injustices perpetuated by the Nigerian state.
A Call for Justice and Recompense
The Nigerian authorities must acknowledge that the Biafran movement is not merely a political agitation but a call for justice, fairness, and the right to self-determination. Addressing the root causes of the Biafran struggle requires an honest reckoning with history and the implementation of measures that promote inclusivity, equity, reconciliation and recompense. This includes ending the systemic marginalisation of the South-East region, ensuring accountability for human rights violations, reparation and fostering an environment where all ethnic groups can coexist in peace and equality in a confederal arrangement.
Failure to address these issues will only perpetuate the cycle of oppression and resistance, ultimately leading to the collapse of the Nigerian state under the weight of its own injustices. The ingenuity and resilience of the Biafran spirit, driven by a profound commitment to justice and self-determination, will continue to inspire and mobilise generations of Igbos until their aspirations for equity and fairness are realised.
In closing, we make bold to restate that the spirit of Biafra represents more than a political movement; it is a manifestation of the enduring human quest for justice, equality, and dignity. No amount of repression or suppression can extinguish the flames of resilience and ingenuity that define the Biafran struggle. It is incumbent upon the Nigerian state to recognize the futility of its oppressive tactics and to engage in meaningful dialogue that addresses the grievances of the Igbo-Biafran people. Only then can there be hope for an equitable future defined by a regional or confederal arrangement. Until such a time, the indomitable spirit of Biafra will remain a testament to the power of resilience and the unyielding pursuit of justice.
Uche Mefor is the Convenor of the Igbo-Biafra Nationalists and the Indigenous People of Igbo Nation for Self-Determination
