Detained leader of the Indigenous People of
Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was on Tuesday
in Enugu elected leader of the Eastern
Consultative Assembly, ECA.
Kanu was unanimously elected at a special
session of the Assembly, attended by several
Igbo leaders, where they also came hard on elder
statesman Tanko Yakassai over his position on
Biafra agitation.
Others elected included Rev Fr. John Odey-
Publicity Secretary, Evang. Elliot Ugochukwu-
Uko- Secretary, Dede Uzor A Uzor- Assistant
Publicity Secretary, while Chief (Mrs.) Maria
Okwor, remains Matron and Deputy Leader. ECA
Patrons remain, Prof Ben Nwabueze, Dr Alex
Ekwueme and Archbishop Anthony Obinna.
In a communique issued after the election by the
Deputy Leader, Chief Mrs. Maria Okwor and the
Publicity Secretary, Rev. Fr. John Odeh, the ECA
described Yakassai’s recent outburst against
Biafra agitation as misplaced.
The group told Yakassai that “your claimed
annoyance over the agitation for secession by
the great IPOB is misplaced.
“Alhaji Tanko should kindly provide answers as
to why Zamfara State with NPC acclaimed
population of over 5 million people should
immunize only 74,000 under 5 year children
during the anti polio vaccination exercise, while
Imo State with NPC population of under 3
million immunized over 300,000 thousand.
“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 enroll only 40
thousand candidates while Anambra state alone
with an NPC population of 3 million produces
over 400 thousand candidates. Man’s
inhumanity to Man.”
They added that “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 3rd August 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 26th May 1967, just to split the Igbo with the
Eastern minorities (According to Gowon’s
interview last year). The unilateral creation of
states and LGAs 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 ECA insisted that “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 Bashir Dalhatu and his Northern
delegate to the confab forum, we say your
position by opposing the peaceful restructuring
of Nigeria excites and fuels the secessionists.
“The world is surprised, why you choose to meet
at this time only to energize and strengthen the
clamour for secession.
“It is doubtful sir, if you pretend that you do not
know that you are only arming and energizing
the clamour for secession by your unreasonable
and very provocative position, only time will
tell.”
The Igbo group equally lauded the new
Ohanaeze Leadership “for standing on the side
of the people, a welcome breath of fresh air in
comparison with past cowardly Ohanaeze
leaderships.”
It noted that “this is the first time in over a
decade, an Ohanaeze leadership is standing on
the side of the people by adopting the truth and
truly identifying with the wishes of the masses.
We say to them: KEEP ON TRUCKING.”
Meanwhile in an acceptance speech presented
by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, he said he was honoured
by the election, adding “I hope all the affiliate
groups in this coalition will so