INJUSTICE : President Buhari in his address to the world
leaders in New York stated Nigeria’s position on statehood for Palestinians in
conformity with Security Council resolutions – Pro-Biafra activists and some
groups in Niger Delta region called for the secession, but president remains
firm in his determination of united Nigeria.
Since the detention of the leader of Indigenous People of
Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu in October 2015, pro-Biafra activists have called for
the secession from Nigeria.
The group has also called for the release of their leader
who was detained on charges of treasonable felony, which he denies.
The freedom fighter group Niger Delta Avengers expressed
solidarity with Biafra case calling for greater autonomy for the Biafra and
threatening to seek secession from Nigeria, as South Sudan did from neighboring
Sudan in 2011. However, President Muhammadu Buhari promised to maintain the
unity of Nigeria and encouraged citizens to ignore groups looking to divide the
country. He had previously said that he would not tolerate agitation for Biafra
if it interfered with Nigeria’s security and encouraged those protesting for
independence to form a political party to campaign for their cause.
At the same time, in his address to the world leaders at the
last summit of the United Nations, President Buhari spoke about self-determination
of indigenous minorities. He said: “At the same time, the Palestinian issue,
despite years and years of international efforts is no nearer to being
resolved. Nigeria in company with member States of the African Union, firmly
support the Two-State solution with Palestinian rights to statehood in
conformity, with numerous Security Council Resolutions beginning with
Resolution 242 of 1967.
The president also stated Nigeria’s position on flow of
migrants, the vital role of youth to national development; and nuclear
security. Nigeria has had an ill-fated attempt at secession in 1967 when former
Nigerian military officer Odumegwu Ojukwu announced an independent Republic of
Biafra in southeast Nigeria, causing a three-year civil war in which more than
3 million people died.
President Buhari while delivering Nigeria’s statement to the
70th session of the UNGA last year also called for the self-determination of
indigenous minorities. He had said: “Neither do we have the moral right to deny
any people their freedom or condemn them indefinitely to occupation and
blockade.”
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