IPOB warns Ndigbo to stay at home, as 13 Igbo groups insist on Biafra day celebration, differ on methodology

www.odogwublog.com reports that over 13 notable Igbo groups have differed with the Indigenous People of Biafra ( IPOB) on the methodology to be applied in observing this year's Biafra Day anniversary even though all groups agree on holding the annual event  on May 30.

The coalition   includes  : Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign state of Biafra (MASSOB); Eastern Peoples Congress (EPC); Igbo Youth Cultural and Restoration Initiative (IYCRI);  Bilie Human Rights Initiative (BHRI); and Movement of Biafrans in Nigeria (MOBIN).

Others are Biafran National Liberation Council (BNLC);  Biafran Revolutionary Organisation (BRO);  Biafran Liberation Crusade (BLC); Joint Revolutionary Council of Biafra (JRCB);  Biafra Revolutionary Force (BRF).

In the coalition also are  Customary Government of Biafra (CGB); and  Biafran  Central Council (BCC) and Biafran  United Liberation Council (BULCO).

While IPOB insists on civil disobedience through sit-at home and non cooperation by all Biafrans, the coalition of Igbo groups rather want holding vigil, candle night procession and a mass rally/ symposium to commemorate the event which they say,  is in honour of all those who have paid the supreme sacrifice in the struggle for Biafra independence.

A press statement yesterday  by IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, urged all Biafrans to remain indoors from the night of May 29 to 6:pm on May 30 as a mark of honour to Biafra fallen heroes.

IPOB also said the reason for the sit- at -home order was to avoid the indiscriminate arrest of innocent people by security agents under the pretext that they are arresting Biafran agitators, arguing that if people remain indoors no security agent will have any cause to molest them.

It therefore, urged all Biafrans at home and abroad to comply with the order in furtherance of the agitation for self rue, adding that rallies will be held in over 100 countries by Biafrans in the Diaspora to commemorate the day.

But the coalition of other Igbo pro- Biafra groups gave a counter directive that they would hold a mass rally in a yet to be disclosed stadium in South East to mark the ceremony.

According to a press release signed by five leaders of the various groups, the coalition said though it was not against any pro- Biafra group that wants to operates independently, it believed that no individual group could actualise Biafra alone without the collaboration of other pro- groups.

The signatories include: Comrade Uchenna Madu for MASSOB; Comrade Felix Anochirimonye for EPC;  Rita Anigbogu for MOBIN;  Engr Innocent Amadi for BHRI; and Comrade Vincent for Customary Government of Biafra.

The statement read in part: "A coalition of pro Biafran groups which agreed to speak with one voice and unity of purposes met and insisted on the earlier resolutions on 18th of April after our fifth monthly meeting that the annual May 30th celebration of the Biafran people will hold this year in a unique formula.

 " We insist on a more eloquent and interactive commemoration anniversary where the members and people of Biafra will interface and reflect soberly on the real issues concerning Biafra emancipation.         

 "As every revolutionary struggle for emancipation have its own methodologies, the coalition of pro Biafra groups will continue to introduce new and positive dimensions that will eloquently and convincingly harp on the need of the hour. Until the diverse ethnic nationalities that makes up the Biafra nation comes together, liaise together, interface together and agree on the strategic ways forward, Biafra actualisation may be a mere wishes.     

 "Coalition of pro Biafra groups is not against any pro Biafra group that prefers to go solo or operate alone.  We know and understand that no singular pro Biafra group can actualise or restore Biafra alone because our people are republican in nature. Everything concerning the future, security and affairs of our people must be discussed by our people.

"Pro Biafran groups have unanimously agreed and resolved to jointly observe, commemorate and celebrate the 51 years anniversary of Biafra declaration by our foremost leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu on 30th May, 2018. 

 "MASSOB and and other pro Biafra groups will observe the May 30th Biafra day in a unique form. There will be a candle night procession called holy vigil on the night of May 29th with a team of Christian clergymen coming from Europe, Igbo clergymen, Jewish priests from direct descendants of Gad, the 5th son of Israel and traditional Igbo native priests to celebrate with Biafrans on the night of the great Passover.                      

"On 30th May, the members of all pro Biafra groups and entire people of Biafra will converge in a stadium for the Biafra anniversary convention where two reputable professors from two highly respected high institutions will deliver speeches on Biafra and her glorifications.   

"The May 30th anniversary convention will also attract notable Biafra leaders from Ikot Ekpene, Ijaw, Igbo, Calabar and Bakassi people. There shall be a special prayers and supplication for the fallen Biafra heroes during the Nigeria --Biafra war and our comrades that were killed by Nigeria security agents including the people of Biafra that died in the hands of Islamic Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen.  

 "There will be a candle night procession on the night of 29th May. The people of Biafra all over the world are enjoined to observe the candle night prayers in their respective homes if they can not participate in the holy procession. This year's anniversary will be celebrated by the people of Biafra not as a pro Biafra group. 

"It is a mark of respect and honour to our father land, it is also a reminder to the visions and commandments of our great ancestors that we are not Nigerians but Biafrans.                            We enjoin our people to get ready for the celebration of  this great anniversary which we will hold to remind ourselves to continue the self determination movement for Biafra actualization and restoration."

Meanwhile, IPOB has said it had uncovered plots by two South East governors and some " Igbo traitors"  with the sponsorship of the federal government to organise an event at Oba on May 30 to nuetralise  the sit-at-home order.

It warned those behind the planned event to retrace their steps at that would amount to dishonouring those who lost their lives in the struggles for Biafra liberation.

IPOB also urged Biafrans to ignore the planners of the Oba event and stay at home to show solidarity with the Biafran movement.