Non implementation of 2014 confab report, 10 yrs after, responsible for insecurity in Nigeria
Senior Special Assistant to Chief Ralph
Uwazuruike-led Biafra Independence Movement and Movement for the Actualization
of Sovereign State of Biafra (BIM -MASSOB) on Media and Publicity, Mazi
Chris Mocha has told Federal Government that if no steps are taken to renew
what he described as the unworkable union that was created by Lord Lugard in
1914, joining Nigeria together, that Nigeria’s unity would continue to hang on
the balance.
Mocha alleged that the persistent
failure of the Government to discuss the 2014 Confab
Report had been responsible for the spate of attacks by terrorists and
bandits in the North and renewed agitations by self determination groups
in the Southern Nigeria.
He also said that some elder statesmen who
were dissatisfied with the amalgamation of Southern and Northern protectorates
he described as illegal had also expressed concerns and their voices after
January 1, 2014 expiration date of the union.
“While some of the elder statesmen
reasoned that Nigeria is only a mere geographical expression to
which life was given by the diabolical amalgamation of 1914, others, said
the painful amalgamation will remain as the most painful injury the British
inflicted on Southern Nigeria.
“The support I will always give to
any Government in power in Nigeria is the support that will divide
the country itself, Mocha once told Journalists.
“A situation where a Chairman of
Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN), Mangu Chapter, had accused Nigeria
soldiers for aiding and abetting the terrorist herdsmen to kill fellow
Christian brethren, and the Army authority looked the other side is most
worrisome, “he said.
The BIM-MASSOB spokesman recalled that the
Northerners who opposed to the amalgamation once said that the Southern people
who are swamping into the region are intruders, and they said: “We don’t
want them, and they are not welcome here in the North, take it that Nigeria’s
unity is only a British intention for the country they have created.”
“Also,
a Southerner from the South East region once said: “Only a
courageous determination to remedy ourselves of the wretched amalgamation of
Northern and Southern Nigeria in 1914 can make the people of these territories
to make progress meaningfully.”
‘There is insecurity in the country, Abuja,
Lagos, Enugu, Portharcout, Maiduguri, Benue, and other places. No place is safe
again. Why are the politicians wasting our time and resources feeding
themselves with, ‘all is well’ when the country is burning and no fire
servicemen in sight to quench the fire consuming Nigeria.
“Why must we continue to waste our time
in a country that has not worked for about 100 and 10 years now.
“A notable Northern politician was
quoted saying suffice it to say, putting all considerations to test, political,
economic, as well as social, the basis of unity is not there or it has been
badly shaken not once but several times.
“A politician and Scholar from South
South said something must have gone wrong along the line from 1914 when the
Southern and Northern protectorates were amalgamated till date.
“But a traditional ruler in one of the
communities in Anaocha Council Area of Anambra state, yesterday, said, ‘on
behalf of my traditional council and entire people of my kingdom, I have
commended the BIM-MASSOB leader, Barr. (Chief) Ralph Uwazuruike, who he
described as a peaceful man, stating that God was truly behind him.
“In a letter he addressed to Ralph
Uwazuruike and copied to Nigeria’s President and all the Igbo Senators, he
praised Uwazuruike’s courage and determination in the struggle to actualize
Biafra by non- violent means.
“The Igbo Monarch enjoined Uwazuruike
and his loyalists to remain steadfast and undaunted, stressing that God of
Isreal is with them.
“He added that the unsolicited
amalgamation of various tribes and ethnic groups by the British Government to
form an entity was irregular, ill -motivated , unreasonable, and a reckless
abuse of colonial powers.
“The Anambra Monarch said the amalgamation
also constituted a forceful marriage as it was not the desire and wishes
of the parties to be merged, “he said.
The BIM-MASSOB spokesman further noted that
10 years after the expiration of the amalgamation on January 1, 2014, that the
Federal Government of Nigeria was not ready to implement the Conference Report
which it said had been the contributory factor fueling banditry and
kidnappings.
It, however, accused the FG of insensitivity
to the plights of the common man because of her unwillingness to discuss,
implement the 2014 Confab Report that would have tackled the security
challenges in the country, as well as given credence to the formation of
regional Governments, State police, among other recommendations.
