Secession threats: ‘National Assembly must pave way for needed changes’ – Malumfashi

 

August 9, 2021 | The Biafra Times

By Hafsat Abdulhamid

A lecturer with the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, Professor Mansur Usman Malumfashi, has called on the National Assembly to urgently provide the constitutional platform that will accommodate changes in Nigeria, even as he declared that the country’s foundation is shaky.

Malumfashi, who is with the Faculty of Education, ATBU, stated these in an interview with journalists in Bauchi while reacting to secession threats in part of the country, submitted that the state of the nation was not only alarming but also unfortunate.

He said that as of today, every geopolitical zone in the country was experiencing one form of challenge or the other, adding members of the National Assembly were required to bring about the changes being demanded by the zones.

“To be very candid, the state of the nation is really alarming and unfortunate. A group in the South West is calling for Oduduwa Republic and others in the South East are also calling for their own Biafra.

“So you find out that almost every zone of the country is facing one challenge or another in the sense that almost every sector of our national life is faced by one challenge or another.

“All the zones in the country, look at them, North East, Boko Haram, North West is kidnapping and banditry, North central is farmers-herders crises, South South the militants and the vandalisation of pipelines and so on and so forth.

“You find the issue of insecurity, you find the issue of unemployment, you find the issue of inflation, you find the issue of social explosion. What I mean by social explosion is that you find youth restiveness, youth gangsterism and so on and so forth,” the don said.

He said the National Assembly had great roles to play in the current agitations for restructuring, declaring that the legislature were empowered to bring the change the people wanted.

“Constitutionally they are the people required to bring about the changes requested by sections of the country.

“You cannot just jump out and say you want a country or self determination or we want to restructure the country,” he said.

According to him, the current reality in Nigeria called for a sober reflection, submitting that there was the need to sit down and look at things as they were in the country objectively.

“Really, the situation calls for sober reflection of the very foundation of the state, I mean the Nigeria nation. We really need to sit down and look at things from an objective perspective because right now the foundation of the country is shaky and we are appealing to people in governance to look at the issue more seriously,” Malumfashi submitted.

Speaking on the relationship between the National Assembly and the executive, the professor noted that though there is currently

a harmonious relationship between the two arms of government, such should, however, be for the benefit of Nigerians and not to short-changed them.

According to him, “the National Assembly or Parliament must work together for the general good of the country. We have had situations where members of the National Assembly would be involved in padding the budget for whatever reasons and at the end of the day whatever is padded is not meant for the people.

“So a good working relationship would be for the benefit of Nigerians and I think they are not doing badly but we really need to put them on their toes so that they will do more because the National Assembly can do better.”

Source: Daily Post

Joint Press Statement: Biafra and Oduduwa Volunteer Force; - See video

 

June 14, 2021 | The Biafra Times

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE JOINT TRAINING OF BIAFRA & ODUDUWA VOLUNTEER FORCE

This is to put the Nigeria Government and her security agencies in Nigeria on notice that Biafra and Oduduwa has further strengthened their bond as one people, following the joint training of personnel from both sides. These joint volunteer force will secure the territories of Southern Nigeria against 'foreign Fulanis terrorists and any unwarranted aggression from any external force. 

Oduduwa and Biafra Volunteer Force demand immediate end to the ongoing  genocide against the people of Biafra and immediate demilitarisation of Biafraland as we are now ready to defend our territories against aggression. The killing and abduction in Biafra and Oduduwa land must stop immediately. 

We reiterate that an attack on Oduduwa land is an attack on Biafra and an attack on Biafra is an attack on Oduduwa. This is the bond the Fulanis tried for many years to destroy but today, the new generation of Oduduwa and Biafra have risen to say no to divide and rule. We are on the threshold of history because we are stronger together.  Today we have trained together, dined together and drank together. Should duty call for it, we shall die together in defense of the entire South. We shall defend our land together, this is historic day for both nations. 

Signed 

Biafra and Oduduwa Volunteer Force for the liberation of Southern Nigeria.

We want our own country – Yoruba leader, Akintoye tells Buhari

 

September 28, 2020 | The Biafra Times

The leader of Yoruba ethnic group, Professor Banji Akintoye has said that Yoruba ethnic group is in dire need of its own country out of the present Nigeria.

Akintoye said that over 55 million people of Yoruba extraction, will get their freedom without breaking the law of the country or shedding blood.

The renowned historian made these declarations during the celebration of Kiriji war held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Wednesday.

History has it that Kiriji war happened in Yoruba land many decades ago.

Present at the celebration included Otun Olubadan, High Chief Lekan Balogun who represented the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Otunba Deji Osibogun, Wale Alabi, Comrade Olu Omotosho, Opeoluwa Elisha Ademoyegun and Iyanda Wasiu.

Akintoye while insisting that nothing would stop the liberation of Yoruba from its enemies, awakened the youths, who he said, were very important in the fight for struggle.

He said, “We have been saying we will have a Yoruba nation of our own. Yoruba World Congress is committed to helping Yoruba nation to secure its position in the comity of nations.

“They do say I don’t compromise. It is not every time. But once we say, we will take a common stance, I don’t know how to betray. We will get Yoruba nation free without violence, we will not break the laws of Nigeria. If there is anyone who wants to be violent, we will tell them, no.

“If you are violent and there are dead bodies on the streets, you are circumventing our purpose. We are telling the world that we want our own country. We have the rights to demand for our rights. When we launched Amotekun, was there any arrest, violence? If you want to stage a rally, do so. It’s your rights but no violence.

“I have passion for the youths. If you don’t have people who can take after you, no matter the amount of wealth you have it’s nothing. These youths are important. We elders can only guide and lead you. We can write letters but it is you who will do it. It must succeed. Anybody saying contrary, I’m not part of that idea.

“In the past of 30 and 40 years ago, the youths have not been the same again. I graduated from the University College Ibadan in the morning and by evening my wife and I were employed. I can’t do the things I’m doing now if I don’t have the youths around me.

“We are hurting our future in a very vicious way. Yoruba are 55 million, 74 percent are 40 years and. Step forward and. They have the authority of the land to say you can’t do it. Go back home. No violence. Go to market places, mechanic workshop, farmers on their way to the farms. If you can do this, getting our resolve done will not be difficult.”

“We don’t force our will on people. Explain to those organizations who don’t understand what you want. Yoruba will not suffer. We are the most populous in Africa. We want to take our own country and begin to build it. Nothing more,” he concluded.

In his own contribution, the leader of Movement for Oduduwa Republic, Architect Akin George explained how they had mobilized other people in Yorubaland.

“We went to Okemesi where the Kiriji war started. We saw the king. From there, we went to Imesi Ile and Igbajo. At Igbajo, we noticed disunity between Imesi Ile and Oke Imesi, between Igbajo and Ibadan people there.

“We reconciled them. We can’t fight the enemies if home front is divided. We may have misunderstanding but should not lead to quarrel,” he revealed.

Source: Daily Post

The Biafra Times

Publisher: Chijindu Benjamin Ukah

Contact us: [email protected]

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Joint Press Statement: Give us referendum or we declare sovereignty Oct 1st 2021 --- Biafra & Oduduwa

PRESS STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF BIAFRA (IPOB) AND THE YORUBA ONE VOICE (YOV) THURSDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER 2020.

September 25, 2020 | The Biafra Times

The First Natural Step

As Nigeria approaches another so called Independence Day on October 1st, the matter of the permanent position of the indigenous peoples of the Oduduwa people and the people of Biafra, once again comes to fore. The attention of The IPOB and YOV, to the plight of their people, the Brothers and Sisters of the Biafra and Oduduwa nations, their sufferings within the stifling, breathless, forced convergence with degenerative, limiting, confluence and influence with others, who do not share our own values, whose ways of life, mannerisms, ideology, are untoward, inimical, alien, hostile to our people, all of these have now necessitated this historic occasion to which the IPOB and YOV are now addressed.

Gentlemen of The Press, The Biafra and The Oduduwa Nations jointly welcome you to a New Dawn.

NIGERIA–THE URGENT NEED FOR A REFERENDUM PRIOR TO THE 2023 ELECTIONS.

Dear countrymen and women, it is now time to boldly jettison the 1999 Constitution of the Federal (actually Unitary) Republic of Nigeria (as amended) which was not a product of the collective will of the Peoples of Nigeria. The said Constitution was decreed into existence by the General Abdulsalami Abubakar administration, after the annulment of June 12, 1993 general elections, which was won fair and square by the late Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola and the attendant contraptions that followed suit.

The 1914 forced amalgamation of the different Nation states which made up Nigeria and the successive years of exploitation of the peoples of the Southern parts of Nigeria by firstly the British Colonialists and thereafter by a Feudal minority of the Northern part of Nigeria which has entrenched poverty, underdevelopment, mediocrity, unemployment, wanton killings, terrorism,  inequality, insecurity, injustice, ethnic Bigotry, religious fanaticism and breach of fundamental human rights.

The golden years of Nigeria were when we had The three regions, viz; Northern Region, Western Region and Eastern Region, with each region having its own Constitution which recognized the diversity in the culture, religion and peoples of Nigeria. 

Nigeria as a Country also had its own Constitution.

Nigeria attained her independence from the British Colonialists in 1960 and became a Republic in 1963. We practiced Parliamentary system of government. There was an unfortunate military intervention in our national politics in 1966 and this was the time that a command structure unitary system of governance was smuggled into our politics, without the express consent of all ethnic nationalities.

A bitter Civil War was fought from 1967 to 1970 with millions of our people from Biafra massacred. 

Since the end of the war the old eastern region have not been fully reintegrated into Nigeria. The declaration of no Victor, no Vanquished by the General Yakubu Gowon administration, was a mere lip service proclamation.

Successive military dictators ruled Nigeria from 1970 to 1979 when Nigeria introduced a purported Presidential System of Government in name, but which is unitary in character and practice. 

The 1979 Constitution which was decreed into existence by General Olusegun Obasanjo was in operation from 1979 to 31st of December 1983 when Major General Muhammadu Buhari truncated our democracy.

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The Major General Buhari’s regime, was also overthrown by General Ibrahim Babangida, who ruled from 27th of August 1985 until he was forced to step aside on the 26th of August 1993. A contraption called Interim National Government (ING) of Chief Earnest Adegunle Shonekan, was in power from 27th of August,1993 to 17th of November,1993 when General Sani Abacha seized power and ruled with an iron fist until he died on the 8th of June,1998 inside Aso Rock. General Abdulsalami Abubakar, another military dictator ruled Nigeria from the 9th of June 1998 to the 29th day of May 1999.

Nigeria has been operating a supposed Presidential system under the 1999 Constitution with successive Government's from Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to the current President; Major General Muhammadu Buhari. The presidential constitution, which is unitary in character, has failed the Peoples of Nigeria. We, The People, did not write this constitution. It is too expensive, wasteful, and has not represented the yearnings and expectations of the oppressed peoples of the Oduduwa and Biafra nations.

From all indications, the current leadership of Nigeria is not, and has never been committed to the fundamental objectives and directives of the principles of statehood, policies of Federalism as enshrined in Chapter II of the Constitution that it derived its powers from. Our peoples are tired of the terrorism, insecurity, hopelessness, injustice, killings, unemployment, inequality, corruption, scandals, violence, oppression, extortion, and repression.

Whereas, our peoples are entitled to their inherent inalienable rights to Self-determination and dignity of their persons in accordance with Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human and Peoples Rights of 1948; Article 20 of the African Charter on Human and People's Rights, Article 1 of the International Convention Civil and Political Rights and the International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Our aspiration is to build a viable, democratic and stable Nation for our Peoples and in this regard, we demand that there must be a referendum, so that our peoples can freely and fairly make a democratic choice, whether they want to continue with Nigeria as presently configured or seek their right to Self-determination before the 2023 General elections.

In order to prevent an implosion of sorts, we, on behalf of our people, therefore demand a proper referendum/plebiscite, to be conducted between now and the 1st of October,2021, in accordance with the Rights of Indigenous Peoples' all over all over the world under The Law as provided in the AU and the United Nations charters, to be supervised by Both The AU and the United Nations.

Copies of this jointly signed Release have been sent to these world bodies.

If, as we believe, our people choose Self-determination, The Next Natural Step would be the immediate activation of the processes and modalities, beginning from the 2nd of October, 2021, for the creation of the Odùduwà and the Biafran Nations out of the present but otiose Nigerian experiment, which started in 1914.

We shall begin the mobilization of our respective peoples toward the actualization of the quest for freedom and life more abundant at a certain date in the future, when peaceful negotiations for applicable terms of separation would have been concluded with our respective residual ethnic nationalities and neighbors.

Read Also: Three killed, residents flee as Nigerian soldiers raid Rivers communities

We wish to place on record our hope that Major General Buhari and his Fulani peoples of West Africa will heed this peaceful democratic demand in a timely manner. In the event our Forthright and Steadfast advocacy is denied, our peoples are hereby notified to commence preparations for series of passive activities that will demonstrate our resolve to be in control of our affairs. Towards this end, our peoples are hereby called upon to undertake the following:

1. Stay away from participation and involvement in any sham or nebulous October 1, 2020; 60th independence anniversary activities as may be mounted by the Unitary Government of Nigeria.

2. In specific terms, we hereby call on the peoples of our territories, and indeed all peoples of Nigeria yearning to be free from internal colonization to be prepared to Stay-At-Home on October 1, 2020. No one among us should play along with any celebration of 60 years of an imbalanced unequal country. Staying-At-Home means keeping safe and away for the inhuman and inhumane character of the present regime of Major General Buhari.

3. Our peoples in the diaspora are hereby enjoined to organize flag flying carnivals and peaceful rallies on October 1, 2020 in all cities across the world. A joint Biafra/Oduduwa event marking the beginning of our journey to freedom is to be celebrated into the following weeks. The whole world ought to witness a rekindling of self-awareness and our pride of place among the community of civilized peoples of the world.

4. All our peoples are to be on standby in readiness for further calls for peaceful and legal demonstrations of our resolve to be free from the failed Nigerian state. These calls will continue to be made for as long as it would be needful, up until our goals for self-determination are achieved.

We salute all of you our compatriots here at home and across the world. 

Signed:

Dr Sina Okanlomo

International General Secretary of Yoruba One Voice (YOV)

Mazi Chika Edoziem

Head, Directorate of State of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)

The Biafra Times

Publisher: Chijindu Benjamin Ukah

Contact us: [email protected]

Follow us on twitter: @thebiafratimes

Oduduwa: Aole Curse Returns to Life As The North Shuns Yoruba, Appoints Dankaka As FCC Chairman

By Eluwa Chidiebere Chinazu | Biafra Writers

May 14, 2020

The appointment of a Northerner, Farida Dankaka, as the new chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) by the Buhari led government, left the whole Yoruba land in grief. On the 5th of May 2020, the entire Yoruba land was disappointedly spellbound at the development, haven believed the position is rightfully theirs going by the constitution.

The former dispensations of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and Olusegun Obasanjo, recognizing the constitution, had appointed FCC Chairman from the North and its Secretary from the South. The Yoruba, not learning from their past dealings with the Fulani, had expected that the same would apply in Buhari era. Shockingly however, both the post of chairman and secretary were given to the North.

It beats my imagination how a government that the Yoruba have done everything possible for turns around to stab them at the back and yet, like an idiot child, the Yoruba keep protecting it. This has left me wondering if there is any agreement at all between the North and the Yoruba over 2023 presidential election. Might just be the Yoruba cowardice that's playing out.

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Just curses often come to fruition. Aole curse has brought disunity in Yoruba land. I am not being a racist, but when a duplicitous people are cursed, then expect the worst. Disunity can bring about anything you can think of. It's like a raving rage ransacking the abode of its victim. It destroys, it betrays and it kills vision. I now ask: will the Yoruba be twice put down as Michael Nostradamus said?

A federal and sensitive executive body like the Federal Character Commission (FCC) established to implement and enforce the Federal Character Principle of fairness and equity in the distribution of public posts and socio-economic infrastructures among the various federating units that make up the country shouldn't in any shape or form breach the constitution.

Is Yoruba's dream of 2023 still alive? Are they still nursing the dream of making one of their sons Nigeria’s president in 2023 after losing out on FCC? They are neglecting Aole curse that has made them slave to the North and now about to bring desolation to their land.


The Biafra Times
Edited by Nelson Ofokar Yagazie
Publisher: Chijindu Benjamin Ukah
Contact us: [email protected]