False census figures spur Biafra agitation —Eastern Consultative Assembly

False census figures spur Biafra agitation —Eastern Consultative Assembly

ENUGU—The Eastern Consultative Assembly, ECA, has said false and bogus census figures which give the north superior majority over the south was one of the major reasons for agitations for the revalidation of the Biafran republic.



President Muhammadu Buhari (M) as he join in a group Photograh with Obi of Onisha, HRM Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, Leader of the South East Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Dr Ebereche Dick `HRM Eze Sam Ohiri, HRH Chulwuemeka Ike and others as President Buhari receives South East Traditional Rulers at the state house in Abuja


This came as the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr Nnamdi Kanu, was, yesterday, unanimously elected as the new leader of the  ECA. Kanu, in his acceptance letter written from Kuje Prisons  to the Assembly, lamented  what he called the continued treatment of easterners like slaves by the present Federal Government , saying  “we have since gotten to a point where we can no longer tolerate the position of eternal slavery,” in the country. The ECA had announced a new leadership structure with detained the IPOB leader as its head. He accepted to play the new role and pledged not to let the people down. However, the ECA also named Mrs Marie Okwo as its Deputy Leader and Matron while Evangelist Elliot Ugochukwu-Uko was made Secretary with Rev Fr. John Odey as Publicity Secretary; Dede Uzor A. Uzor, Assistant Publicity Secretary just as former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, erudite Professor Ben Nwabueze, SAN, and the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, Dr Anthony Obinna became the patrons. Kanu’s letter of acceptance/appreciation read:  “I am honoured by this election; I hope all the affiliate groups in this coalition will soon join hands with us in our peaceful and non-violent pursuit of a referendum that will allow the people decide their future. “The horrendous injustice visited on us daily by our oppressors has since gotten to a point where we can no longer tolerate the position of eternal slavery, which they carefully crafted for us and have ruthlessly executed over the years. Our children today and generations to come do not have a future. “Our youths are despondent, our once truthful and outspoken elders frightened and silenced, our politicians compromised and our leaders bought over. Our present status as  a  race and a people is one  of utter hopelessness and servitude. “Our only hope for the future lies in a peaceful plebiscite that will settle once and for all time the burning issues that confront us today. I commend the ECA and strongly believe that I will not let you down. Once again, I say thank you for this great honour.” Why we agitate for Biafran republic However, in a communique issued after the meeting, the ECA stated that false and bogus census figures which give the north superior majority over the south was one of the major reasons for agitations for the revalidation of the Biafran republic. 

The communique which was jointly signed by Mrs Marie Okwo and Rev Fr John Odey attacked two northern leaders, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai and Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, over their recent comments on restructuring and Biafran agitation. The communique read in part:

 “The ECA dutifully informs our respected elder statesmen, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, that his claimed annoyance over the agitation for secession by the great IPOB is misplaced. “Alhaji Yakassai should kindly provide answers as to why Zamfara State with NPC acclaimed population of over five million people should immunize only 74,000 under five-year children during the anti-polio vaccination exercise, while Imo State with NPC population of under three million immunized over 300,000. “JAMB and WAEC figures year after year also confirm the fraudulent census figures. Zamfara and Sokoto States with a combined NPC alleged population of over 11 million enrol only 40,000 candidates while Anambra State alone with an NPC population of three million produces over 400,000 candidates. That’s man’s inhumanity to man. 

“British colonial officer, Harold Smith, admitted how they deliberately, falsely empowered the North to ruthlessly use bogus population figures to dominate the south. Dear sir, the fraudulent and oppressive census figures is one of the reasons the East can no longer accept Nigeria as presently structured. The deliberate asphyxiation of our people with a very wicked state and local government creation based on land mass is another reason sir. “The falsehood that Gen. Ironsi restructured Nigeria is another wicked lie sir. Everybody knows that the very first decree of Gen. Yakubu Gowon on August 3, 1966 was to revert to the original regions. Ironsi merely changed the nomenclature from regions to group of provinces. “The same Gowon unilaterally created 12 states on May 26, 1967, just to split the Igbo with the Eastern minorities (according to Gowon’s interview last year). The unilateral creation of states and local government areas by Northern Generals in 1976, 1987, 1991 and 1996 is at the root of the demand for Biafra by millions of Eastern youth’s sir.

 “The refusal to peacefully restructure Nigeria, sir, is the reason the demand for secession is growing louder and louder. The demand, dear sir, will only grow louder until justice is done, sir. As for Alhaji Dalhatu and his Northern delegates to the confab forum, we say your position by opposing the peaceful restructuring of Nigeria excites and fuels the secessionists.”

Source: www.vanguardngr.com By Emeka Mamah & Dennis Agbo