Return Nigeria to 1960/63 regional autonomy or risk total collapse – AVID
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
American Veterans of Igbo Descent, AVID, has warned that the only way to save Nigeria from a looming total collapse is a return to the 1960/1963 regional autonomy.
AVID which said that the growing clamour for the restructuring of Nigeria has vindicated the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who was completely misunderstood when he was calling for a restructured Nigeria but was ignored, hence, he pushed for Biafra restoration.
The veterans in a statement issued by the President, Sylvester Onyia; and Secretary, Dr Godson Obiagwu, urged the Federal Government to heed the call for a return to regionalism as a panacea to Nigeria’s multiple woes.
AVID which said most of Kanu’s predictions about Nigeria had been fulfilled, recalled that Kanu had during a meeting with South East Governors, also agreed to a return to the 1960/1963 constitution as a way forward.
It, however, regretted that instead of following through with the agreement, Kanu’s house was invaded which led to his escape.
AVID, therefore, advised the Presidency, to consider the return to the 1960/1963 constitution to pull Nigeria out of the brinks.
It also called for the consideration of Kanu’s other demands, which it believed would help restore the confidence of South Easterners if obliged
The statement made available to Ikengaonline read in part:”The United States Military Veterans of Igbo Descent, believes that a return of Nigeria to 1960/63 regional autonomy is the only way to mitigate Nigeria’s socio-economic and security problems”, the statement said.
“In 2017, shortly after the leader of the Biafra indigenous people was freed from illegal detention, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the late Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Evangelist Elliot U. Uko, and the South-East governors met in Enugu state to discuss the demands of the Biafran people. On August 30, 2017, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu made these demands before the South-East governors, who were chaired by Engr. Dave Umahi.
“His demands included: Make Enugu a grade one international airport so that our people in different parts of the world can easily fly in without having to stop over first in any part of Nigeria.
“He demanded that River Niger be dredged to reduce the heavy loss of importation which our
people who dominate the sector painfully bear.
“He also demanded that Owerri airport which our people contributed money to build in the days of Governor Sam Mbakwe be upgraded to a functional Cargo airport.
“He equally demanded that Port Harcourt Sea ports be made to operate in full capacity so that big ships can berth in them.
” MNK 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 announcement of his demands to the South-East, Mazi Nnamdi 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 Prof. Ben Nwabueze as his father, he consented to restructuring along 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 of Nigeria,
“Some of you today called him names and even called him a terrorist because you didn’t know what MNK stood for. Many lives were lost when Biafrans imprisoned in all government detention facilities across Nigeria, some of them were shot and killed, but no account of their deaths was provided just because they were Biafrans.
” His parents died because they were unable to withstand the shock. In light of the fact that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is still being held without authorization, both the North and the South have agreed that Nigeria should be restructured.”
AVID, however, commended the recent signing into law, of the South East Development Commission.
“The South-East Development Commission is something that the East is proud of. It wasn’t accidental; rather, it was the outcome of the very change-agitation that the IPOB and its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, supported. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu defends humankind in battle. Release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu now!”
