No going back on Biafra, Ikedife tells government

The Deputy Chairman, Supreme Council of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Dr. Dozie Ikedife, yesterday told President Muhammadu Buhari that Ndigbo would not forget Biafra in a hurry.

Ikedife, who was fielding questions from reporters in Nnewi, Anambra State, noted that nothing would make the Igbo to forget what they went through during the 30- month civil war in the hands of the Nigerian government.

He said the comment, credited to the President calling on the ethnic group to abandon Biafra, was rather unfortunate, noting that even if all the people that experienced the war should die, Biafra will never be forgotten as the story stands to be told from generation to generation.

According to him, all post-war efforts by the Igbo to reintegrate had allegedly been treated with disdain by successive governments.

The former President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo queried: “How can we forget Biafra when the life of every Igbo man was reduced to worth only 20 pounds. How can we forget Biafra when the next step after the declaration of reconciliation, rehabilitation and reintegration was to go and rebuild the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos?

“How can we forget Biafra when up till this day, the Onitsha Bridge has not been reconstructed? How can we forget Biafra when for 30 months, our territory was landlocked and we watched our children die of starvation. Tell us how we can forget Biafra? Tell President Buhari that we will never forget Biafra. Never!”

On last Saturday’s sit-at-home other declared by the group, Ikedife described it as a huge success, saying the people obeyed the order to express their quest and demand for self-determination.

Ikedife, who debunked gratification allegation against the group’s elders’ council retorted: “Bribe me with what? What can the Federal Government bribe me with at this age. Is it money, appointment, what?”

He maintained that the Igbo would continue to pursue for self-determination through non-violent means as part of their inalienable rights.