The Igbo-Biafra Nationalists (IBN) have stated that the Igbo tribe has the right to secede from Nigeria and become a sovereign state, News About Nigeria reports.
The convener of the group, Mazi Uche Mefor, disclosed this in a statement to newsmen in Owerri on Thursday.
He noted that the region has the right to self-determination as a last resort to address the issue of marginalisation that it has been experiencing in the country.
Mefor stated that this secession is on account of the deliberate and systematic policy or culture of discrimination, suppression, and underrepresentation of the Igbos in the Nigerian political arrangement, adding that it is rooted in the principles of equality, justice, and the resolution of historical grievances.
According to him, political representatives from the Southeast region must now actively seek and demand equality and justice from the Nigerian state, stating that they must articulate their demands clearly and boldly while emphasising the need for fair treatment and equitable distribution of resources and opportunities.
“We, the Igbo-Biafra Nationalists (IBN) and the Indigenous People of Igbo Nation for Self-Determination (IPINS), will continue to insist and make a case that the Southeast region has a legitimate right and justification for self-determination, potentially including remedial secession from Nigeria as a last resort on account of deliberate and systematic policy or culture of discrimination, suppression, underrepresentation, and marginalisation of the South-East region or the Igbo Nation in the Nigerian political arrangement. This argument is rooted in the principles of equality, justice, and the resolution of historical grievances.
“Political representatives from the South-East region must now actively seek and demand equality and justice from the Nigerian state. They must articulate their demands clearly and boldly, emphasising the need for fair treatment and equitable distribution of resources and opportunities. These representatives must demonstrate unwavering resolve in their pursuit of these objectives, making it clear that their demands are non-negotiable and must be addressed promptly and adequately.
“Should the Nigerian state fail to resolve the historical grievances and persistent injustices faced by the Igbo nation, the South-East region must be prepared to embark on a path of “democratic secession.” This would involve seeking both economic and political autonomy from the rest of Nigeria.”
“The case for self-determination, including remedial secession, for the South-East region or the Igbo nation is grounded in principles of justice, equality, and historical redress. The Southeast region meets the criteria for self-determination, with a defined territory, settled population, effective governance, and the capacity to engage internationally. The persistent historical injustices, political and economic discrimination, underrepresentation, and human rights violations faced by the Igbo people further underscore the legitimacy of our demands. If the Nigerian state fails to address these grievances and provide a fair and just resolution, the Igbo nation has every right to pursue a path of democratic secession as a last resort to achieve the justice and equality they rightfully deserve,” he stated.
