posted
BLM Statement on Nigerian Islamists' Call for a Sovereign National Conference
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2004/BLM/01
UMUAHIA AND NEW YORK -- May 13, 2004 -- The Biafra Liberation Movement (BLM) welcomes the recent announcement credited to Dr. Datti Ahmed, President of the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria (SCSN), regarding the need for a Sovereign National Conference in Nigeria. Daily Champion, a Nigerian newspaper, recently cited Dr. Ahmed as demanding that the Nigerian Federal Government convene a Sovereign National Conference to determine the basis, if any, for Nigeria's continued existence.
BLM is pleased that finally, a section of Nigeria, which is usually responsible for murdering Biafrans, has finally seen the anguish that Biafrans have been suffering since the first racial murders in Jos in 1945. That the wisdom in the words spoken by General Ojukwu in Aburi, Ghana, has once again been echoed by another Nigerian community, is cause for bitter sweet celebration. The Yoruba elite in 1993, and now the Islamist Hausa-Fulani elite have acknowledged what Biafrans knew in July 1966. Nd'Igbo knew back in 1966, as they faced wave after wave of genocidal attacks, that a republic, which is incapable or unwilling to protect her citizenry does not deserve to exist. And if such incapacity or reluctance were driven by the lack of loyalty to a false, British construct, then surely it would make sense for the foundations of such a construct to be negotiated into organic entities?
BLM also welcomes Dr. Ahmed's offers to the Nigerian state to either negotiate, or go to war. BLM has always reserved the right to bear arms in defense of the peoples of Biafra and would not deny the Hausa-Fulani people such a right either. Therefore, BLM shares the idea put forward that Mr. Obasanjo's government would be wise to stop creating false dawns. If Mr. Obasanjo needs any more evidence that neither he, nor the collective (s)elected officials of the Nigerian state are in a position to reform Nigeria via a normal process, he needs only look at the constitutional crisis around the creation of local governments. Asking Mr. Obasanjo to examine the record of his own 5-years old administration and the other levels of the faux Federal republic may be asking too much as the hollowness of the record might further deafen an already tone-deaf regime. Thus, it is clear that the recent challenge Mr. Obasanjo presented as the hurdle advocates of a national conference must pass before they are taken seriously is clearly an easy one to scale.
The only question that rightly remains is what future does Nigeria want: the extremely unlikely peaceful, well functioning federation like the United States, in which all are governed by a constitution drawn up by the peoples representatives, not a secret cabal of military generals and their immoral lawyers? Or a Czech-Slovak outcome in which separation is peacefully accomplished or a Yugoslavia solution in which ethnic cleansing precedes the formation of new states? The outcome is entirely up to Mr. Obasanjo. But, not for much longer, as many groups will not wait around anymore, waiting for Mr. Obasanjo to see the light.
Thus, in anticipation of these negotiations, BLM has prepared the Biafran position on the key issues that must be addressed, whether we negotiate an association with the Nigerian state, or unilaterally sever all links and resume our existence as an independent republic. These issues include property rights, distributing the debt burden, trade policy and treatment of Biafran citizens. BLM and the Government of Biafra operate on the doctrine that harm done to a citizen of Biafra is unacceptable, and therefore must be met with at a minimum, equivalent force. Hence, we reserve the right to strike at a time and place of our own choosing those who harm Biafran citizens.
In anticipation of the outcome of the talks, BLM has been working closely with a number of domestic and international parties to establish a network of resources, which will provide counsel, and financial support to help Igbo families returning to the Biafran homeland resettle and resume economic activity. Igbo families all over Nigeria are urged to return to Biafran territory in an orderly fashion and focus their investment in Biafra. A great myth, which Nigerians have perpetuated since the end of the Biafran War of Independence, is that Biafra does not have sufficient land to accommodate her 40 million citizens. BLM believes that poor land utilization, poor policies, and a lack of innovative thinking have contributed to the belief that land resources are insufficient in Igboland; nothing could be further from the truth. Biafra's arms are open and welcoming; return home and cease living in fear.
Finally, BLM believes that the Government of Nigeria would be wise to listen to her citizens who are tired of living in fear and want a resolution to the extended state of crisis. BLM is prepared to help end that cycle of fear. We await Mr. Obasanjo's answer.
Hail Biafra!
Signed, Ambrose Ehirim Director of Public Affairs BLM/BCIA
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic
