Biafra Provisional Government
The Biafran Provisional Government (BPG) is created and formed by the authority of the Biafra Charter of May 30 2007; and as a mandate of the same Charter. The relevant section of the Charter is excerpted below (item # 5.) Biafra Government in Exile (BGIE) is an arm of BPG. This page is organized in numbered sections: Event announcement for (event) Declaration of BGIE The Event itself--the declaration text link (audio coming) A Report of the Event by South Africa Broadcasting Corporation Statement of Re-affirmation of Original Biafra Independence Declaration Relevant Excerpts from the Biafra Charter in support of BGIE Declaration Original Text of Declaration of BGIE
Related link: The Biafra Charter
1. Announcement for Declaration of Biafra Government in Exile (BGIE)For Immediate Release
August 28, 2007
CONTACT: Nze Patrick Achimuagole
Phone (202) 508-3795; Fax (202) 508-3759
Email: BiafraFoundation@vahoo.com
New Biafra Provisional Government Announcement
On May 30, 2007, The Nation of Biafra, its Provinces and Peoples resolved to actualize, renew, reaffirm and continue with the Declaration of Biafra lndependence from Nigeria. During a press event being held in Washington, D.C., Dr. Emanuel Enekwechi, on behalf of the signatories, will unveil The Biafra Proclamation of Sovereignty and lndependence. "This is our Declaration to the rest of the world," says Dr. Enekwechi, [that] "we are exercising our right to Self-Determination and Self-Governance and we seek support in making this transition towards freedom and liberty, a reality for 40 million Biafrans"
The authors of the Declaration strongly support the right of Self-Determination and have issued a mandate for the creation and formation of a Biafra Provisional Government. The mandate states a government of Self-Determination shall function as the bona fide government of Biafra to: 1) secure the freedom and liberty of Biafra and its Peoples; 2) represent the sovereignty and interests of Biafra globally; 3) engage in international relations and diplomacy; 4) ensure the National security of Biafra and its Peoples; 5) seek diplomatic status for Biafra; 6) mediate global trade negotiations and other economic development venues; and 17) exercise the right to Freedom of Religion.
In 1967, the Nigerian government opposed the declaration of Biafra as a sovereign state and declared war. A few years later, the war ended but ethnic genocidal cleansing of the Biafrans continues today. In 1999, in response to the genocide, the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) was formed on non-violent principles. High-ranking officials, as well as other members of MASSOB, remain imprisoned throughout Nigeria. "Now is the time", say the signers, "that the Peoples and Nation of Biafra make an appeal here today to the World to support the end of human rights violations and persecution of our People who are in search of the Rights to Freedom, Liberty and Self-Determination".
************************ For additional information on Biafra, please visit the Biafra Foundation website at: http://www.biafraland.com A Weekly Radio Program airs on Fridays on the Voice of Biafra International (VOBI). VOBI is a short wave broadcast service transmitting on 15.67 MHz (on 19 MeterBand) at 2000-2100 Hours UTC., equivalent to 9.00-1000 pm Biafraland Time
Biafra Foundation
1629 K Street, NW, Suite 300,
Washington, DC 20036
PHONE (202) 508-3795 FAX (202)5083759
BiafraFoundation@yahoo.com
2. DECLARATION OF BIAFRA GOVERNMENT IN EXILE (BGIE) (Full text item # 6 below) 3. Report of Declaration of BGIE by SABC (South African Broadcasting Corporation) .mov version
(QuickTime Player Required Download free) .avi version
4. Reaffirmation of Original Biafra Declaration:
The Declaration of Biafra Independence, Tuesday May 30, 1967: A Recommittal to the Declaration of Biafra Independence, Wednesday, May 30, 2007. Fellow Biafrans: Forty years following the original declaration of Biafra Independence, we Biafrans rise today to re-commit ourselves to this noble declaration, its spirit, substance and implications, our Independence being our right and our destiny, and a manifestation and symbolism of our Freedom and Liberty. Those forty years have validated the wisdom and propriety of the declaration of Biafra Independence: these forty years do now compel the re-actualization of Independent Biafra. Having witnessed and experienced, all these years, the unrelenting stranglehold of Nigeria on Biafra; Unwilling to continue to suffer under the pernicious polices of Nigeria against Biafra and Biafrans; Certain that a future under Nigeria, based on past and present facts and realities, does not exist for us Biafrans, except as exploited and dehumanized slaves rendered worthless as human beings; Understanding that, in any case, Nigeria is a failed State barely kept going by mocking and unconscionable patronization by outside Stakeholder-Powers and Principalities; and refusing to allow ourselves to be throttled and dragged down with Nigeria; Now, therefore, we, the people and Nation of Biafra, do DECLARE THAT: (i) We re-affirm the original declaration of the Independence of Biafra (ii) We are taking charge of our own collective Destiny as an Independent Sovereign Nation of Biafra (iii) We undertake the actualizing of Independent Biafra as a natural task to claim a Natural right (iv) We know that the Law and Rules of civil Humanity are on our side: Self Determination is an inalienable Natural right; it is recognized in the United Nations Charter; we exercise this right to actualize Independent Biafra. In making and re-affirming this declaration, we make neither war, nor peace, with Nigeria: we merely exercise our right as a people and a nation, which is our prerogative, and of which there is plenty of precedence. It is our desire to enter into negotiations with Nigeria to resolve “negotiables” peacefully. An Independent Biafra restores stability and security to the region, allowing the people and their environment to heal and finally to thrive, while at the same time, creating a favorable climate for International business and commerce. An Independent Biafra is a fresh infusion of Hope for Africa which we are determined to turn into fulfillment for all. Long live the Independent Nation of Biafra! And may God continue to protect her and all those who live in her. The Original Declaration of Biafra Independence The Declaration of Independence Tuesday, May 30, 1967 Fellow countrymen and women, YOU, the people of Eastern Nigeria: CONSCIOUS of the supreme authority of Almighty God over all mankind, of your duty to yourselves and prosperity; AWARE that you can no longer be protected in your lives and in your property by any Government based outside eastern Nigeria; BELIEVING that you are born free and have certain inalienable rights which can best be preserved by yourselves; UNWILLING to be unfree partners in any association of a political or economic nature; REJECTING the authority of any person or persons other than the Military Government of eastern Nigeria to make any imposition of whatever kind or nature upon you; DETERMINED to dissolve all political and other ties between you and the former Federal Republic of Nigeria; PREPARED to enter into such association, treaty or alliance with any sovereign state within the former Federal Republic of Nigeria and elsewhere on such terms and conditions as best to subserve your common good; AFFIRMING your trust and confidence in ME; HAVING mandated ME to proclaim on your behalf, and in your name the Eastern Nigeria be a sovereign independent Republic, NOW THEREFORE I, Lieutenant-Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Military Governor of Eastern Nigeria, by virtue of the authority, and pursuant to the principles recited above, do hereby solemnly proclaim that the territory and region known as and called Eastern Nigeria together with her continental shelf and territorial waters shall henceforth be an independent sovereign state of the name and title of THE REPUBLIC OF BIAFRA. AND I DO DECLARE THAT: (i) All political ties between us and the Federal Republic of Nigeria are hereby totally dissolved. (ii) All subsisting contractual obligations entered into by the Government of the federal republic of Nigeria or by any person, authority, organization or government acting on its behalf, with any person, authority or organization operating, or relating to any matter or thing, within the Republic of Biafra, shall henceforth be deemed to be entered into with the Military Governor of the Republic of Biafra for and on behalf of the Government and people of of the Republic of Biafra, and the covenants thereof shall, subject to this Declaration, be performed by the parties according to their tenor; (iii) All subsisting international treaties and obligations made on behalf of Eastern Nigeria by the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be honored and respected; (iv) Eastern Nigeria's due share of all subsisting international debts and obligations entered into by the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be honored and respected; (v) Steps will be taken to to open discussions on the question of Eastern Nigeria's due share of the assets of the Federation of Nigeria and personal properties of the citizens of Biafra throughout the Federation of Nigeria. (vi) The rights, privileges, pensions, etc., of all personnel of the Public Services, the Armed Forces and the Police now serving in any capacity within the Republic of Biafra are hereby guaranteed; (vii) We shall keep the door open for association with, and would welcome, any sovereign unit or units in the former Federation of Nigeria or any other parts of Africa desirous of association with us for the purposes of running a common services organization and for the establishment of economic ties; (viii) We shall protect the lives and property of all foreigners residing in Biafra, we shall extend the hand of friendship to those nations who respect our sovereignty, and shall repel any interference in our internal affairs; (ix) We shall faithfully adhere to the charter of the Organization of African Unity and of the United Nations Organization; (x) It is our intention to remain a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations in our right as a sovereign, independent nation. Long live the Republic of Biafra! And may God protect all those who live in her.
A. Biafra Charter Authorization Whereas the Peoples and Nation of Biafra and their land and property find themselves under physical, sociologic, political, economic and psychological subjugation by the State of Nigeria since 1967, a "state of occupation," by Nigeria, of Biafra, has existed and continues to exist. Unwilling to continue to live under such stifling servitude while suffering such indignities as are inappropriate for human beings, determined to exercise the natural and legal rights to Freedom and Liberty, NOW, therefore, We, - the Peoples of the Federation of Biafra have RESOLVED to actualize, renew, re-affirm and continue with the Declaration of Biafra Independence of May 30 1967, with all the implications thereof.
- In re-affirming the Independence of Biafra, the Peoples and Nation of Biafra make neither war, nor peace, with the State or peoples of Nigeria; rather, we exercise a Natural right, a Popular right, a Political right, and a right supported by United Nations Organization Charter and International laws—the right of Self Determination;
- in the certain realization that only the effective exercise of Self-Determination by the Peoples and Nation of Biafra will end the state of occupation and subjugation by Nigeria of Biafra.
In furtherance of this exercise, the Biafra Charter, a formal organ of the People and Nation of Biafra, lends authority to, and issues a mandate for, the creation and formation of a Biafra Provisional Government (BPG). 1. BIAFRA PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT (BPG)- MANDATE of BPG:
1. to create, form, operate and manage a Provisional Government for and by the Peoples and Nation of Biafra; such government: 2. to function, in the meantime, as a bona fide government of Biafra in the manner of legal, customary and decent governments; 3. to secure the Freedom and Liberty of Biafra and its peoples from occupation by Nigeria, based on Self Determination paradigm and principles, with all haste and by all means necessary; 4. to represent the Sovereignty and Interests of Biafra and its people in the Region and in the World at large; 5. to project the Sovereignty, Independence and Humanity of Biafra and its people at all times; 6. to constitute a Transitional Governance of Biafra (TGB) immediately after liberation of Biafra from Nigeria for a specified and finite duration not to exceed four years, pending the formalization of Biafra State structures post-occupation and post liberation. - STRUCTURE of BPG:
The BIAFRA PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT shall consist of 2 arms: 1. A Biafra Government in Exile (BGIE), based outside of Biafra 2. A Biafra Government within Biafra, to be known as "Biafra Shadow Government" (BSG) Both arms shall function in tight coordination, and in harmony, with the BGIE in the apex role. - FUNCTION of BPG:
The sole function of BGIE and BSG is to carry out the Mandate of the BIAFRA PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT as stated in the Biafra Charter Authorization. 1. BGIE shall respect existing laws of International hosting countries in furtherance of this Mandate. 2. BGIE shall respect international laws dealing with Self Determination and Protection of Human Rights and rely in particular on the Geneva Conventions Protocol II. 3. BSG will work with our peoples at home—in Biafra Territory; and in Nigeria (cognizant of the State of Nigeria's occupational forces foisted over our people), to keep alive and project Biafra's Sovereignty and Independence in accordance with the Mandate, and to mobilize, organize and manage our people for sociopolitical activism in order to carry out our resolve for Self Determination. 4. At all times, BGIE and BSG functions are to be well-coordinated, harmonious, complementary and seamless. 5. Following the liberation of Biafra from Nigeria, the Biafra Provisional Government (BPG) (consisting of BGIE and BSG together) shall form the nucleus of the TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENT of Biafra (TGB), under the direction of the peoples of the Nation of Biafra, in order to conduct the governmental affairs of Biafra, guided by the Biafra Charter, for a period not to exceed 4 years, during which Biafra puts formal structures in place to continue and to succeed as a Nation under a permanent Constitution of the Nation of Biafra. - CONDUCT:
The conduct of the BIAFRA PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT shall, at all times, adhere to the basic principles and laws of the Biafra Charter. - TERM:
The term of the BIAFRA PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT (BPG) shall last from now, May 30 2007 until Biafra is fully liberated from Nigerian occupation. Immediately after the full liberation of Biafra, the Biafra Provisional Government shall transform into the Transitional Government of Biafra (TGB) during which Biafra sociopolitical and civic structures shall be put in place, a period not to exceed four years. At the conclusion of that period, the Transitional Government of Biafra (TGB) shall, unconditionally, cease to exist; and shall be replaced by a duly constituted Government of Biafra, following a Constitutional Conference.
BIAFRA GOVERNMENT IN EXILE:
A DECLARATION. Being part of the official announcement declaring a Biafra Provisional Government in Exile and held at the United States National Press Club in Washington DC, United States of America on August 28, 2007. DECLARATION: There comes a time in the life of a people when their physical survival; their dignity, fundamental human rights, and indeed the very essence of their being endowed on them by their creator and guaranteed under natural and international laws supersede all temporary comfort, and demand unreserved and unmitigated action in defense of these God-given rights. For the peoples of Biafra, that time is now. Whereas the peoples and Nation of Biafra and their land and property find themselves under physical, economic, political, sociologic and psychological subjugation by the State of Nigeria since 1967; a “state of occupation” of Biafra by Nigeria has existed and continues to exist. Unwilling to continue to live under such stifling servitude while suffering such indignities as are inappropriate for human beings; determined to exercise the natural and legal rights to Freedom and Liberty, We the peoples of the Federation of Biafra have resolved to actualize, renew, reaffirm and continue with the Declaration of Biafra Independence of May 30 1967, with all the implications thereof. In reaffirming the independence of Biafra, the Peoples and Nation of Biafra make neither war, nor peace with the State or peoples of Nigeria. Rather we exercise a Natural right, a political right and a right supported by the United Nations Organization Charter and international laws – the right of Self-Determination. The peoples of Biafra are taking this action in certain realization that only the effective exercise of Self- Determination by the peoples and Nation of Biafra will end the state of occupation, subjugation, and persecution by Nigeria. In furtherance of this exercise the peoples and Nation of Biafra have issued a mandate for the creation and formation of a Biafra Provisional Government in Exile. Such a government shall function as the bona fide government of Biafra to: · Secure the Freedom and Liberty of Biafra and its peoples; · Represent the Sovereignty and Interests of Biafra throughout the world; · Engage in international relationships and diplomacy with Governments, States, Nations and Organizations; · Organize for the security of the peoples, properties and land of Biafrans; · Obtain diplomatic recognition for the Sovereign State of Biafra; · Organize the negotiation of trade and other economic activities on behalf of the peoples of Biafra. The peoples and Nation of Biafra appeal to all Governments, Peoples, States, Nations, Organizations and Individuals world wide to support the long persecuted peoples of Biafra in their struggle for Freedom, Liberty and Self-Determination. BACKGROUND This exercise of self-determination is a direct expression of the will of the people of Biafra. It is an ongoing process that began in 1966 after a genocidal pogrom and ethnic cleansing exercise directed against all the peoples of then Eastern Nigerian, culminating in the declaration of the sovereign state of Biafra in 1967 when Biafra was forced to separate from Nigeria. Nigeria immediately declared war on Biafra, blockaded her by land, sea and air and starved more than one million children to death. When, following the end of the war in 1970, Nigeria resorted back to the same mistreatment of Biafrans that led to the declaration of Biafra in the first place, the will of the people of Biafra to leave Nigeria for good only hardened. Since 1970, Biafra has tried acquiescence to accommodate and be accommodated by Nigeria in the illusory thinking that this would bring reprieve from Nigeria’s harsh treatment, and persecution, and maintain peace. However, Nigeria remained relentless in its vindictive policies against the people of Biafra, and in its total suppression and denial of the basic human rights of Biafrans. This is in spite of the fact that Biafrans tried harder than any other groups to integrate themselves into the Nigerian citizenry and polity, but all to no avail. In response to this ongoing dehumanization and rejection of Biafrans by Nigeria, MASSOB (the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra), a non-violent movement, was formed, in 1999 with an agenda consistent with the name. The distinguishing quality of MASSOB is its strict adherence to non-violence, in the tradition of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. MASSOB has sought dialogue with the Nigerian government, but has instead been “rewarded” with unjustified detention and jailing without charge, extrajudicial murder of its membership, constant harassment, and destruction of membership and organizational property by Nigerian Army, Paramilitary Police and security agents. Several other liberation movements have since sprang up. Chief Ralph Uwazurike, an attorney and the leader of MASSOB, and several high-ranking MASSOB officials, as well as many rank-and-file MASSOB members, and members of other Liberation Movements are currently being held in various Nigerian jails. MASSOB and its leadership as well as these other liberation movements enjoy enormous support of the masses of the people of Biafra. Self-determination for the People of Biafra: Biafra, a nation of some 40 million people, has for almost 40 years suffered incessant exploitation, humiliation, dehumanization, oppression and genocide at the hands of Nigeria in a calculated and deliberate agenda to permanently and perpetually subjugate the people and obliterate their culture. Self-determination in any form is a right recognized by and accepted in International law and many other International and regional instruments Biafra has a population of over 40 million people, and 1. a common historical tradition dating to times prior to European colonization, 2. a racial and ethnic identity well distinguishable from the rest of Nigeria, 3. cultural homogeneity which distinguishes its people apart from the rest of Nigeria, 4. linguistic unity, with a major language, minor languages, and a lingua franca, 5. religious affinity, the dominant religion being Christianity, 6. ideological affinity, 7. distinct, contiguous territoriality, and 8. a common sociopolitical and economic life. In addition, the population as whole naturally sees and considers itself as a people bound by common ancestry, sociopolitical ties and destiny; hence, the people exhibit the will and consciousness of being a people. The primary reason driving the self-determination form and effort of the people of Biafra is the imperative to provide the traditional existential human needs of freedom, liberty, survival and prosperity of our people. Yet, the reason for Self Determination for Biafra goes well beyond human needs; the aforementioned structure of Nigeria, put together by its colonial master and inherited as such, is a forced amalgamation of peoples and nations who were never suited, and are still not suited to be lumped together as one nation in the first place. The architect of the amalgamation, the British Lord Lugard, stated 100 years ago, that such a “union” would never work—that “Easterners [Biafrans] and Northerners were like oil and water and would never mix.” He was right then. He is still right at this time. The problem is that Nigeria is pretending to make it work, using all manner of force and intimidation, buoyed by the support of other self-interested parties who benefit from the ongoing resultant dysfunctional and pathologic status of the state of Nigeria. - Security of Person:
Biafrans are killed on a daily basis all over Nigeria, including occupied Biafra. Most times, it is extrajudicial killing by the Nigerian Army, Paramilitary Police, Nigeria Armed Security Agencies, and Nigeria’s Secret Death Squads. Even when such is admitted by the State of Nigeria’s killing machinery, there is no inquest, no accountability, no explanation, no apologies, no proper trials, no convictions, no remorse, no compensation. Lately, MASSOB members have borne the brunt of these unconscionable acts. In one such operation in Onitsha in April 2006, more than 700 innocent Biafran men and women were murdered, and hundreds of innocent women and girls were gang raped by Nigerian soldiers. Christian Biafrans are also targeted and killed en masse, in carefully orchestrated “riots” in Fundamentalist Islamic Northern Nigeria, with a frightening cycle and staggering toll. In more than 25 such carefully organized attacks it is estimated that more than one hundred thousand (100,000) people have been killed. For each death of a Biafran resulting from the above, at least ten times have been injured, maimed, displaced and or unaccounted for. Although this atrocious activity qualifies as Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing, the international community has yet to react. - Security of Property:
There is no respect for the property or property-rights of the Biafran. The Nigerian Police routinely destroys the homes and property of Biafrans especially those identified as working for self-determination. The home of the leader of MASSOB has been burned down and ransacked several times. In Onitsha the Nigeria Army used helicopter gun ships to bomb private homes that innocent Biafran civilians labored so hard to build. The Lagos State government razed business stalls and markets built and maintained by Biafrans living in that State, without reason, without compensation, and threatened to burn down more such structures. In Fundamentalist Islamic Northern Nigeria, during the aforementioned rampages, Northern civilians and security agents would selectively target, loot, burn and destroy the business and personal property of Biafrans residing in Northern Nigeria, as well as Christian Churches where Biafrans worship. More than three hundred Churches have been burned in Northern Nigerian in the past ten years alone. A foreigner living in Northern Nigeria once remarked: “The killing of the Igbo (Biafrans) has become an industry in Northern Nigeria.” Over one million Biafrans have been forced to flee from Northern Nigeria and relocate to Biafra and other parts of Africa. It is obvious that Biafrans are not welcome in a country in which they are supposed to be citizens. - Genocide and Ethnic cleansing.
The first massive state-organized and state-directed Pogrom, Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing directed against Biafrans (the people of Eastern Nigerian at that time) by Nigeria occurred in 1966, in Northern Nigeria especially, but also in Western Nigeria. The massacre of Biafrans has continued to date. More than 100,000 Biafrans have been killed by Nigerians since 1980. Not only has the State of Nigeria participated directly in this crime against humanity, it has also maintained an enabling environment which facilitates and encourages Nigerians and State governments to kill and maim Biafrans at will, destroy the property of Biafrans and uproot Biafrans wherever they may be found in Nigeria. By making no efforts at all to investigate and bring to justice individual and corporate offenders in these crimes, the State of Nigeria has proved that it places no value on the life and property of Biafrans living in Nigeria; worse still, the State of Nigeria has proven that it has a vested interest in the destruction of Biafrans. - Economic Security:
The government of Nigeria has banned or blocked or stifled legitimate economic activities in which there is a preponderance of Biafran owners. Government orchestrated stifling of economic activity in Biafra has resulted in very high incidence of unemployment among the youths and other people of working age. One of the worst acts of economic injustice ever seen is the blatant refusal of the government of Nigeria to allow the peoples of Biafra access to the finances accruing from the sale of Petroleum and Natural Gas derived from their private ancestral land. The leadership of the Nigerian State has used the money derived from Biafra to develop Abuja, Lagos and other parts of Northern and Western Nigeria and to set up billion dollar personal fortunes in banks in Europe, America and the other parts of the world while leaving the people of Biafra (Eastern Region) from where the Oil money is derived to live in poverty, penury, and squalor and die slow miserable deaths. Authoritative reports of $4 billion stolen between December 2004 and April 2007; $3 billion stolen by the NNPC and the Nigerian President; $2 billion dollars disappearing between the United Kingdom and Bermuda are common news items in Nigeria. A highly placed Nigerian government official stated that the rulers of Nigeria have stolen over $400 billion dollars since 1970. - Environmental Security:
The most obvious and salient example of environmental terrorism directed against the people of Biafra by the State of Nigeria relates to oil exploration in the Niger Delta region of Biafra. With total disregard for the environment and for the people who live in the area, the State of Nigeria has failed to make even minimal effort to combat what otherwise would have been manageable ecological fallout from oil exploration. Streams and rivers have been badly polluted; drinking water and marine life have been devastated. Gas flaring has caused acid rain, birth defects and even mental illnesses in the inhabitants of the Niger Delta. The Nigerian government does not care and does not want to know. All it wants is to steal the billions of dollars derived from the oil and walk away leaving the people to their misery. - Political Security - Democracy.
For Biafrans the right to express their collective and individual political will using the ballot system has traditionally been just as primal as the basic individual right of being. Biafrans put utmost premium in their ability to elect their own leaders, to hold them accountable and to remove them if they fail to perform the functions for which they were elected. Since the amalgamation of the peoples of Biafra with Nigeria this very important aspect of Biafran culture has been truncated time and time again. Biafrans have a long history of democracy dating thousands of years; the peoples of Western Nigeria have a long history of monarchy dating thousands of years and the peoples of Northern Nigeria have a long history of feudalism dating thousands of years. It has been impossible to melt these three distinct cultures into one. The April 2007 elections in Nigeria adjudged by national and international election monitors to be the worst election in the history of the world informs unbiased observers of the terrible tyranny that Biafrans have been forced to bear in their association with Nigeria. The 2003 elections in Nigeria were judged by national and international election monitors to be equally fraudulent with Biafrans always being the most victimized. - Freedom of Religion:
The population of Biafra is about 95% Christian. However, the Muslim Northern domination of power affords them the means and opportunity to run Nigeria as primarily a Muslim nation. Nigeria was registered as a member of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), in the 1980’s, without consulting with, and without the consent of the Christians of Nigeria. Recently, the Nigerian state allowed Fundamentalist Islamic Sharia law to be introduced in thirteen of the nineteen states in Northern Nigeria and three of the six stated in Western Nigeria. The Fundamental Islamic Sharia law is now applied equally to both Muslims and Christians, despite strong protests from Christian Biafrans. Since Biafrans (who are non-Muslim) have the biggest non-Muslim presence in Northern Nigeria, it does not take much to discern who as a group would be found without rights and treated as such in Northern Nigeria. The State of Nigeria looks the other way while government institutions such as the police and the courts are used to impose Fundamentalist Islamic Sharia law on Christian Biafrans living in Northern and Western Nigeria. Several Moslem Nigerian leaders from Northern and Western Nigeria have declared openly that they will Islamize Christian Biafrans by force. Christian Biafran children have been abducted and forcibly converted to Islam or married off against their will to Islamic fundamentalists. The people of Biafra thus feel trapped by the State of Nigeria, encaged on purpose and left helpless, readied for easy victimization and forced Islamization by determined Islamic Fundamentalists bent on swallowing up everything in their path. Finally: The primary function of government is the protection of its citizens and their property. Whenever a government which is meant to protect the people turns around and persecutes and destroys a people and their culture; the people it was meant to protect; the people reserve the right to take steps to establish a different political and administrative arrangement that will guarantee the safety and security of their lives and property. This is the case for Biafra. Thank you all for coming and may God bless the People and Nation of Biafra. |