The Igbo Biafra Nationalists (IBN) stated on Sunday that the revelations in former military President General Ibrahim Babangida’s book, A Journey in Service, have further strengthened the unwavering call for justice, reparations, and self-determination by the people of the South East.
Mazi Uche Mefor, the Convener of the group, who disclosed this in a statement to newsmen said the Babanginda’s book countered historical distortions against the Igbos, one which was the misrepresentation of 1966 coup, as “Igbo coup” which the Babanginda’s book had debunked.
It stated that the coup was “A revolutionary movement for regime change, aiming to install Chief Obafemi Awolowo as the provisional president, not to establish Igbo hegemony.”
According to Mefor, “In light of the undeniable historical injustices, marginalisation, and systemic discrimination against the Igbo people and/or the South-East, we, the Igbo-Biafra Nationalists and the Indigenous People of Igbo Nation for Self-Determination, remain vindicated in our persistent call for reparation, restitution, and the rectification of Nigeria’s deliberate apartheid-like repression of the South-East region.
“The revelations made in General Ibrahim Babangida’s book, A Journey in Service, and the comprehensive case for Igbo-Biafra and/or the South-East self-determination further reinforce our position and provide unequivocal confirmation of the injustices meted out to our people and/or South-Easterners.
“Vindication Through Historical Truths: The historical distortions that have been used to vilify the Igbo people and/or the South-East, particularly the misrepresentation of the 1966 coup as an “Igbo coup,” have now been debunked. The book and other historical accounts reveal that:
“The coup was a revolutionary movement for regime change, aiming to install Chief Obafemi Awolowo as the provisional president, not to establish Igbo hegemony. A calculated propaganda campaign was initiated to weaponise this event, inciting genocidal hatred against the Igbo people and/or South-Easterners.
“Major Kaduna Nzeogwu, who was wrongly labeled as an Igbo nationalist, was more Hausa in his worldview and upbringing than Igbo. The coup plotters were ethnically diverse, but only the Igbo and/or South-Easterners were targeted in the subsequent counter-coup and mass killings.”
He continued: “Igbo officers actively resisted the coup, with some even paying with their lives, yet this did not shield them from collective punishment. Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu’s insistence on military hierarchy in succession—supporting a Yoruba officer, Babafemi Ogundipe—contradicts the falsehood that the Igbo and/or South-Easterners sought political domination.
“Biafra was declared as a means of self-preservation in response to Nigeria’s failure to protect its Igbo and/or South-Eastern citizens from genocide, not as an act of rebellion. Justification for Igbo-Biafra and/or South-East Self-Determination and Possible Secession
“Historical Claim to Independence – International law on self-determination places emphasis on historical claims. The Igbo-Biafra region and/or South-East’s distinct cultural, linguistic, and historical identity, which predates colonial borders, forms the foundation for advocating self-determination and, under extreme conditions, secession.
“Gross Human Rights Violations: Nigeria has systematically violated the human rights of the Igbo people and/or South-Easterners through discrimination, state-sponsored oppression, and targeted violence. The Biafran genocide (1967-1970) remains a major case of state-sanctioned ethnic cleansing. Continued structural apartheid policies, including unequal state creation and economic suppression, justify the need for remedial secession.
“Discrimination and Lack of Representation: Persistent underrepresentation of the South-East in governance, lack of federal projects, and economic exclusion violate the principles of self-determination. Nigeria’s refusal to grant political and economic equality necessitates alternative governance solutions.”
However, he recalled that in “2014 National Conference and Structural Imbalance: The South-East participated in the National Conference to address Nigeria’s structural imbalances, yet the government ignored its resolutions. The refusal to address South-East grievances further entrenches systemic injustice.
State-Sanctioned Oppression and Military Abuses: Nigerian security forces routinely commit human rights abuses in the South-East, targeting pro-self-determination activists while treating terrorist groups in other regions with leniency. This ongoing oppression strengthens the justification for self-determination.
“Violation of Terms of Surrender – Nigeria has unilaterally altered its political structure since the 1970 Biafran surrender without Igbo and/or South-Eastern consent, breaching the original conditions of reintegration.
“Sui Generis Case of Systematic Discrimination: The South-East faces state-sponsored marginalisation akin to apartheid, where its people are denied equal economic and political opportunities based on ethnicity.
“Call for Reparation, Restitution, and Self-Determination Given these indisputable facts, we demand:
“That the Nigerian state must issue a formal apology to the Igbo people and/or South-Easterners for the genocide, systemic exclusion, and ongoing persecution.
“Creation of an Additional State in the South-East: The current five-state structure marginalises the region and must be corrected for fair representation. This is not an arbitrary pursuit; it is a necessary measure rooted in fairness, equality, and balanced representation. Strengthening the South-East ensures true national cohesion and addresses our deep-seated sense of marginalisation.”
To achieve this, he said: “A comprehensive reconstruction plan must be implemented to address decades of infrastructural neglect in the South-East.
“Implementation of the Ohanaeze Petition to the Oputa Panel: Nigeria must revisit the recommendations of the Oputa Panel to address historical grievances.
“Cessation of Anti-Igbo Persecutions: The Nigerian state must halt its targeted suppression of Igbo-Biafra and/or South-East self-determination advocates.
“Recognition of the Genocide and Compensation for Victims: The Nigerian government must acknowledge the Biafran Genocide, compensate surviving victims, and include the history in educational curricula.
“Consideration of Secession or Constitutional Reforms: If Nigeria fails to rectify its systemic discrimination and repression, the Igbo-Biafra people and/or South-Easterners have a legitimate case for remedial secession under international law.
“Promulgation of a New Constitution: A thorough review and overhaul of the current constitution are indispensable to rectifying entrenched inequities. Only such decisive reform can guarantee safeguards against the recurrence of systemic discrimination.
“Greater Autonomy for Every Region in a Regional or Confederal Arrangement: Beyond an additional state, Nigeria must embrace a structure that grants each region substantial control over its own affairs. A regional or confederal model would ensure more effective governance and foster the unique cultural and political aspirations of diverse ethnic nationalities.”
“Legal Action Against Marginalisation: We further call upon the state attorneys-general of each South-East state, in conjunction with our representatives at the National Assembly, to seriously consider initiating court proceedings against the Nigerian state for the gross marginalisation and underrepresentation of the South-East. Such proceedings should also address the systemic discrimination—expressed as Igbophobia—against our people, which constitutes a breach of their fundamental rights and the constitutionally enshrined principle of equality before the law.
“International Advocacy for Justice and Reparation: South-East representatives should engage with international human rights bodies, foreign governments, and global institutions to highlight the ongoing marginalisation and discrimination faced by the region. Diplomatic engagement and legal petitions to relevant international courts should be explored to press for accountability and reparations.
“Legislative Protection of South-East Interests: Elected representatives must push for policies that guarantee economic equity, federal infrastructure projects in the South-East, and the decentralisation of power to promote fair political representation and regional economic growth.”
“These demands are part of the South-East region’s efforts to achieve robust participation that translates to genuine internal self-determination. However, if all avenues aimed at realising meaningful internal self-determination—and all internal remedies—are exhausted, and the Nigerian government remains unwilling or unable to address these grievances, the Igbo Nation may be left with remedial secession as a last resort.
“The Path to Justice and Self-Determination A just and equitable Nigeria cannot be built on a foundation of historical distortion, systemic repression, and deliberate exclusion. If Nigeria continues its policies of marginalisation, the Igbo-Biafra region and/or South-East has every right under international law to seek self-determination, autonomy, or secession.
“Until these demands are met, the Igbo-Biafra Nationalists and the Indigenous People of Igbo Nation for Self-Determination remain steadfast in their struggle for justice, dignity, and freedom.”
