Providing individuals with opportunities and observing the potential outcomes that may arise from such circumstances is a proposition put out by Nworie.
According to Ugwu, engaging in dialogue will result in a mutually beneficial outcome for both parties, leading to victory.
The demand of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is not contingent upon the release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Against the backdrop of the prolonged restiveness in the Southeast geo-political zone of the country that has claimed several lives and led to the destruction of properties worth billions of naira, stakeholders from the region have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to embrace the call for dialogue by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a step towards genuine reconciliation.
The stakeholders observed that resolving the situation in the South East region necessitates a political resolution. They further emphasized that a sincere discussion between the Federal Government led by Tinubu and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) will result in a mutually beneficial outcome for both parties.
It is important to note that on the previous Saturday, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) took a decisive action with the objective of resolving long-standing grievances in the region. This action involved expressing their willingness to engage in discussions with the Federal Government on the establishment of a referendum date for Biafra.
The statement alluded to the willingness to engage in peaceful negotiations and dialogue in order to facilitate a peaceful secession of Biafra from Nigeria, under the supervision of the United Nations through a referendum.
This was not the inaugural instance in which the collective, established in 2012 with the objective of reinstating the defunct Republic of Biafra, expressed their need for a referendum. Similar requests were made by the organization during the tenures of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, but, these petitions were not successful.
The group's Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, issued a statement indicating that the Federal Government had previously set a date for a referendum to determine the willingness of Biafrans to remain in Nigeria, which would be beneficial for all parties involved.
The powerful entity had taken note of the IPOB's peaceful stance towards the pursuit of self-determination since its inception. However, it expressed deep concern over the significant loss of life, with over 5000 casualties, and the extensive destruction of property valued at $1 billion, resulting from the security forces' efforts to suppress the struggle.
In addition to the statistics provided by the IPOB regarding the losses incurred in terms of property and human casualties during the Biafra struggle, a recent inquiry conducted by The Guardian pertaining to the Monday sit-at-home directive enforced by a faction of the group revealed that the Southeast region has suffered a significant economic setback, with an estimated loss of over N7.6 trillion in investments and productivity.
The report, published in the July 24, 2023 edition of the newspaper, examined the two-year duration of the Monday sit-at-home and its consequences. It highlighted the significant impact of job losses on productivity and security, which in turn led to the migration of businesses from the region to more stable areas within the country. Additionally, the report highlighted disruptions in academic activities, resulting in the denial of examination opportunities for some children.
The Monday observance of staying at home, currently being contested by the governors of the five states comprising the region, was implemented as a means to exert pressure on the Federal Government to secure the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who has been detained by the Department for State Services (DSS) for a duration exceeding two years.
Kanu has been subjected to detention since June 2021 subsequent to his apprehension in Kenya and subsequent repatriation to Nigeria. Numerous intervention initiatives implemented with the aim of securing his release have not achieved favorable outcomes.
The Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has repeatedly advocated for the application of political solutions by the Federal Government in order to address the issue at hand. Ohanaeze Ndigbo maintains that the Federal Government bears primary responsibility for the unrest in the South East region.
IPOB's appeal for dialogue preceded the scheduled December 15, 2023, verdict by the Supreme Court regarding the prolonged detention of Kanu. Powerful emphasized that IPOB is resolute in its commitment to dialogue, emphasizing that the fundamental principle upon which IPOB was established is to facilitate a peaceful secession of Biafra from Nigeria.
The individual further asserted that IPOB's request for a conversation over a referendum was not aimed at securing Kanu's release from custody, but rather constituted a nonviolent approach towards attaining the goal of Biafra.
The historical occurrences spanning from 1948 to 2023 have demonstrated the formidable challenges in establishing a harmonious coexistence between Biafra and Nigeria as a unified nation. The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has consistently urged the Nigerian government to engage in dialogue on the scheduling of a peaceful referendum. However, the Nigerian government has always responded to these peaceful appeals with forceful repression.
The assertion has consistently been made that the right to self-determination is an inherent entitlement in accordance with the legal framework established by the United Nations. Our dedication to the peaceful pursuit of self-determination in accordance with international rules and norms is unwavering. He further stated that all attempts to manipulate the organization will persistently prove unsuccessful.
In response to the group's appeal, Comrade Osmond Ugwu, President of the International Solidarity for Peace and Human Rights Initiative (INSPHRI), expressed his perspective by stating that the proposal made by the IPOB is a distinct matter from the Federal Government's level of interest in it.
It is imperative to acknowledge that IPOB has been designated as a prohibited entity by the Nigerian government, so categorizing it as a terrorist organization. Prior to engaging in discourse with the Federal Government, it is necessary to first ensure that it has been officially de-proscribed.
With that being stated, it is important to note that the aforementioned remark may not be a strategic maneuver aimed at obtaining the release of Nnamdi Kalu. The aforementioned statement is expressed with utmost sincerity and a clear sense of purpose. If the government is able to acknowledge and accept the aforementioned proposition, it would result in a mutually beneficial outcome for all involved parties. If the Federal Government demonstrates willingness to engage in discourse regarding the matter of a referendum, it implies their acceptance of the concept of a referendum. The subsequent matter to be addressed would involve determining the specific procedures and methods for conducting said referendum.
I would advise the Federal Government to prioritize rational decision-making over personal pride, and to choose the noble course of action in the given context. The honorable course of action entails the pursuit of discourse as a viable option. The proposed approach is an optimal strategy for effectively addressing the deadlock between the Federal Government and proponents of Biafra.
Chief Goddy Uwazuruike, the Emeritus President General of Aka Ikenga, expressed that the organization has consistently advocated for a referendum. He further noted that the previous administrations of late President Umaru Yar'Adua and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan demonstrated a mature approach in addressing this demand. However, Chief Uwazuruike criticized the current administration under President Muhammadu Buhari for its unfavorable and hostile disposition towards the issue.
Currently, the Tinubu administration has refrained from overtly disclosing its stance. In the realm of international diplomacy, it is customary for changes and shifts to occur on a regular basis. The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has demonstrated its willingness to make adaptations, although the response from the Federal Government has been lacking. In order for the process of genuine reconciliation to advance, it is imperative that the Federal Government provides its response.
It is my contention that IPOB is earnestly endeavoring to resolve the prevailing political challenges that confront us. The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is led by a singular individual, namely Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The negotiations lack substance if the upfront release of the individual in question is not secured. In contemporary times, a multitude of factions have emerged, each purporting to represent the Biafran identity. According to Uwazuruike, these purported 'Biafran' factions are illicit organizations aiming to exploit a dire circumstance for personal gain.
Comrade Ibuchukwu Ezike, the Executive Director of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), emphasized the importance of being well-informed about the specificities of the referendum in order to have a definitive stance on the issue, as not all individuals in the Southeast region are affiliated with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The authenticity of the offer made by IPOB to engage in discussions with the Federal Government cannot be definitively determined as I lack membership in IPOB and abstain from involvement in their activities, hence limiting my ability to assess the sincerity or lack thereof in their proposition. Once again, it is evident that Ezike lacks knowledge of the nature of this dialogue. Does this imply that the group intends to completely abandon its pursuit of an independent Republic, or merely to temporarily halt its efforts? Without a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies and dynamics inherent in the proposed debate, engaging in a meaningful discussion about it would prove to be exceedingly challenging. In order to conduct a comprehensive examination of IPOB's proposal to the Federal Government, it is important to possess a thorough understanding of the plan's specifics, as stated by the individual.
Nevertheless, he emphasized the need of the Federal Government accepting the offer in order to initiate the subsequent deliberations. During the course of the negotiations, the veracity of the proposal or the authenticity of IPOB's sincerity will be ascertained.
Dr. Onyeukwu Nworie, a public affairs analyst, emphasizes the significance of dialogues and talks as fundamental components of democracy. He further asserts that the Federal Government should persistently engage with various groups in order to collaboratively devise effective strategies for societal transformation.
The individual further asserted that given the prevailing levels of insecurity and devastation in the Southeast region, it is imperative for the administration to demonstrate a willingness to partake in substantive dialogues aimed at achieving a lasting resolution.
If the government is capable of establishing communication with leaders of terrorist organizations, then interacting with IPOB should be considered a relatively minor concern, as IPOB poses a lesser threat compared to these aforementioned terrorist groups. The other thing is that the Southeast has had its fair share of destruction and disturbances arising from the issues of Biafra agitation. The Federal Government is unlikely to exhibit a state of relaxation in the presence of societal unrest within a particular region of the country. In my opinion, it is advisable for the government to consider accepting the proposal for dialogue.
Engaging in dialogue does not necessarily imply acquiescing to their request. In the Southeast region, there exists a considerable discontent among a significant portion of the population regarding the perceived deterioration of circumstances. Consequently, many individuals express a reluctance to align themselves with the Biafran cause, as evidenced by their disinclination to support a hypothetical vote in favor of Biafra. There are individuals who are strongly committed to the pursuit of Biafra and are willing to make significant sacrifices in order to attain it. This is the prevailing state of affairs. However, the paramount concern lies in the comprehension and actualization of peace," he expressed.
Nworie assuaged concerns regarding the potential initiation of subsequent attacks by the IPOB in the event of non-compliance with their demands, emphasizing that, based on his observations, the group does not exhibit a propensity for violence. The source of unrest in the zone can be attributed to the infiltration of criminal elements within the society.
The IPOB has communicated its decision to discontinue the sit-at-home directive and has additionally called upon governors to apprehend individuals involved in its enforcement, among other requests. It is apparent that there exists an inclination towards peace, as well as an acknowledgment of the region's populace possessing a level of sophistication that renders them resistant to coercion. Therefore, it is imperative to provide them with the opportunity and observe the potential outcomes that may arise from it. The speaker asserts their belief that the individuals in question are sincere and not employing the telephone call as a means to advocate for the release of Kanu.
