A Biafra civil war veteran, Prof. Okoro Akpa has called on
Igbo leaders of thought to remember the horrors of Nigeria-Biafra civil war by
providing leadership direction to Ndigbo in the face of current Biafra
agitations and militarization of the zone...
Reacting to the military operations
in the South East, Akpa in Enugu appealed to Igbo leaders to act quickly and
wisely. “It is important that our leaders, the traditional rulers in all
communities in Igboland, our Governors, Senators, members of the House of
Representatives and all other political offices holders come out boldly and
cautiously decide on the way forward.” “I commend the South East governors for
proscribing the activities of IPOB but that is not enough. I will advice Nnamdi
Kanu and his IPOB members to tarry a little while to avoid causing war where
innocent and armless easterners will start losing their lives for no just
cause,” he said. He pleaded with those bent on continuing with the agitation
for Biafra to remember the horrors of war, advising them to exercise restraint
and tow the part of peace. “I want us to reflect on the ravages caused during
the Nigerian-Biafran war when millions of Biafrans were killed. Let us reflect
on the reason for the war and how the war ended.” “Let us recalled that at a
certain stage during the war, Ojukwu left us for Ivory Coast and those of us in
the battle field didn’t know what transpired but we were full of expectations
and when he came back, the music changed.” “He never talked of Biafra again. I
wish to state that at other time I was personally invited to attend a political
rally organized by APGA at the Presidential Hotel, Enugu. “In that rally, Dim
Emeka Ojukwu was campaigning to be elected as the president of Nigeria.” Akpa
advised Igbo elites to “Pressurise the Federal Government towards restructuring
where the Southeast will at all times have adequate democratic dividends like
other zones.” “This is because the Ndigbo are more Nigerian than any other
group in this country. By our nature, we are in every corners of this country.
Wherever they go, they sojourn and develop the place. “For me, I am no more
agitating for Biafra. I am pursuing Ojukwu’s agenda for an Igbo man to become
president of Nigeria. This is my own submission”, he said.
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