IPOB, MASSOB, Zionists, others unite, speak with one voice

•Pass confidence vote on council of elders led by Justice Ozubu

 

Pro-Biafran movements, including the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Biafra Zion­ists Movement (BZM) yesterday announced fussion into an um­brella body yet to be named. They however said it wa for effective presentation of their grievances.

A statement at the end of an emergency meeting in Enugu signed by IPOB-NEC media spokesperson, Comrade Asuzu Chinedu Peters said they have re­solved to continue to press for an independent state for the Biafran people, irrespective of threats and intimidation.

The release states in part: “Ev­ery Biafra faction and groups is hereby expected to come under the authority of this government. There is a place for everyone in this National Independent Cam­paign for Biafra.

“Any Press release by anyone or faction that is not authorized by the customary government of the indigenous people of Bi­afra should be considered by the public as invalid, void and of no effect. It shall be treated as an act of insubordination and proper sanctions shall be fully enforced.

‘’Finally, the National Execu­tive Council of the Indigenous people of Biafra has passed a vote of confidence on the Supreme Council of Elders to represent Biafran Customary Government as the apex decision making body for Biafra.

“However, to give our National Liberation movement a well coor­dinated administrative structure, every Biafran is hereby advised to give all necessary support to the National Executive Council of In­digenous people of Biafra under the Customary Government.

“The Supreme Council of El­ders of Indigenous people of Bi­afra constitutes the Customary Government of Indigenous peo­ple of Biafra (IPOB) headed by his HRM(rtd) Justice Eze Ozubu and other principal members of the Council”.

They added that their ideol­ogy and road map for pursuing and achieving self-determination for Biafra hinges on rule of law, diplomacy, civil rights (Human Rights Movement), mass media, political, and other legitimate process.

“Through our legal department (Bilie Human Right Initiative), Biafra sued Nigeria to court in Suit No. FHC/OW/CS/192/2013: Federal High Court Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria to establish the le­gality of the Biafra people to ex­ist in Nigeria and to exercise our right to self-determination.

“The next hearing is 15th De­cember 2015, as we are prepared to take the suit to International Court of Justice. This is based on United Nations declaration on the rights of Indigenous people to self-determination, as well as adopted by African Union and by extension Nigeria constitution under the customary law.

“No Nigerian Government Of­ficial from Biafra extraction or any organization and body has right to represent Biafra people in any dialogue or discussion about Biafra outside the authorities of the customary government of the indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB),” the statement stressed.