Igbo diaspora group calls for Nigeria’s return to regional autonomy

The American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) has urged the Federal Government (FG) to return Nigeria to 1960/1963 Regional Autonomy to save the country from failure.

According to the group, returning Nigeria to 1960/1963 regional autonomy is the only way to mitigate the country’s socio-economic and security problems.

In a statement signed by its President, Dr. Sylvester Onyia, and Secretary, Dr. Godson Obiagwu, the group applauded the recent signing into law of the South East Development Commission, noting that Nigeria needs to restructure to avoid imminent collapse urgently.

AVID, which also renewed its demand for the immediate and unconditional release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, said that the growing clamour for restructuring of Nigeria had vindicated the IPOB leader, who was misunderstood by many when he was warning the country.  According to the group, Kanu’s predictions about Nigeria have almost been fulfilled.

It recalled that Kanu had, during a meeting with South East Governors, also agreed to the country’s return to the 1960/1963 Constitution, as a condition to review his agitation for Biafra’s restoration before his house was invaded in 2017 by soldiers.

The group said: “Kanu demanded the revival of all moribund industries in the South-East and South-South to provide job opportunities for thousands of our youths and graduates from higher institutions. Following the announcement of his demands to the South-East, Kanu reiterated that if they fail to address these problems, Biafrans will demand a referendum on their status as foreigners in Nigeria.

“At that point, Prof. Ben Nwabueze informed him that Nigeria was better off under the 1960s–1963 Constitution- (A restructured Nigeria). Respecting Nwabueze as his father, he consented to restructuring along the 1960 to 1963 Constitution, up until two weeks later, when Nigerian Government security agents broke into his home in Isiama Afaraukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North, Abia State, and killed 28 people.”

AVID, therefore, advised the Presidency to urgently return to the 1960/1963 Constitution.