The National Executive Council of Ane Igala Restoration has discountenanced its inclusion in the Biafra map, stating its refusal not to be seemingly coerced or tricked into being a part of the envisioned Republic of Biafra.
In a communique that emanated from the extraordinary NEC meeting held on 2nd December, 2024 signed by the Acting, National Secretary Ane Igala Restoration (AIR) Mr. Salifu Oguche Usman,Esq, (LL.M).
It particularly dealt with the recent publication of the map of Biafra in which they cited their inclusion.
The Igala ethnic nationality group also took definite stance on some other topical issues and general state of the nation, while stating unequivocally their resolve to protect their identity.
The communique is availed below:
YOU HAVE NO LEGITIMACY TO INCLUDE US IN YOUR IMAGINARY MAP OF BIAFRA. BEING A COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY ANE IGALA RESTORATION AFTER ITS EXTRA ORDINARY MEETING HELD ON THE 2ND DECEMBER, 2024.
The National Executive Council of Ane Igala Restoration held an extraordinary NEC meeting today, been the 2nd December, 2024 where it discussed several topical issues bothering on the general state of the Nigerian Nation and the position of the Igala Nation on same.
The NEC notes with optimism the move by the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider the possible restructuring of the country with the possibility of re-ordering same into some layers of sub-national governments who will share some degree of sovereignty with the federal government of Nigeria.
NEC notes with gratitude to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Supreme court on the recent autonomy granted to the local government councils as the third tier of government and observed that that singular step of the present administration has shown in no small measure that there is hope for the eventual return to true federalism or even a confederacy in Nigeria where powers will be further devolved to component entities.
NEC observed with concerns the recent publication of the supposed map of Biafra by the Indigenous People of BIAFRA wherein an Igala state with a capital at Ekpa was proposed as part of the envisioned Republic of Biafra. NEC maintained that while it appreciates the right of the Indigenous People of Biafra as well as those of other ethnic groups to agitate for the grant of sovereignty and statehood based on their needs and situations, it submits that such must however be pursued with respect and regard to the corresponding rights of other ethnic nationalities and organizations to chart their own course and decide their future without coercion or trickery.
NEC appreciates the fact that the Igala Nation shares a lot of historical backgrounds with the Igbo Nation and that her Indigenous Igala People form a huge percentage of the present Igbo Nation having been drafted into entities that were to transform into the present-day Igbo Nation and having been assimilated for about two centuries but yet with strong historical ties to their Igala origin. NEC also appreciates the economic and traditional mutually benefiting relationship that has existed between the Igala Nation and the Igbo Nation over centuries, predating the Nigerian Nation and states that the Igala Nation will naturally be disposed to discussions bothering on the future course of the Nigerian Nation as it affects the two pre-colonial economic powers i.e the Igala Nation and her Igbo counterpart.
NEC maintained that such discussions must naturally be founded on the immutable principles of equality of parties, equitable representation, fair play, justice and strength. NEC further noted with disappointment that the publication of the Indigenous People of Biafra as observed above which proposed an Igala state with a capital at an imaginary Ekpa is insulting, outrageous and disturbing as same was muted and published without any form of engagement with the Igala Nation. NEC considers the insult and humiliation so grave for a Nation which the Igbo Nation owes the origin of over a quarter of her language, culture and traditions.
NEC emphasises the fact that any further inclusion of Ane Igala or any part of it in the so called imaginary map of the Republic of Biafra or any other secessionist state without the full engagement of the people and leadership of Ane Igala will be considered an insult, act of aggression and will be met with equal measures.
NEC observed and declared that for the records, the Igala Nation was a complete sovereign Nation with all the paraphernalia and structures of a full government before the advent of colonialism and that this status was eloquently acknowledged by the colonial government who admitted that there was an Igala country at the heart of the River Niger which was presided over by an Atta whose seat of power or court was at Idah. NEC therefore believes that notwithstanding the present geo-political disadvantageous situation of the Igala Nation within the Nigerian Nation, she yet appreciates her status, potentials, capacity and will negotiate her future course on the basis of strength and justice.
In whole, NEC dissociates itself, the Igala Nation and entire Ane Igala worldwide from the purported map of Republic of Biafra, insisting that such was drawn without legitimately and amounts to an insult and affront to the Igala Nation. She therefore called on the Indigenous People of Biafra and other similar secessionist groups within the Nigerian Nation to desist henceforth from including the Igala Nation in their sphere of authority or coverage as the Igala Nation is a complete entity with a pre colonial sovereignty and government and is capable of picking up her pieces in the event of a possible restructuring or balkanization of the Nigerian Nation.
NEC therefore enjoins the general public, members of the Igala Nation and the federal government of Nigeria to discountenance the purported map and all such related activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra carving the Igala Nation into her fold.
NEC urges all persons to wait for further guidance on the future course of the Igala Nation in the ensuing days as events unfold in this respect.
Thank you and God bless you.
Long live Ane Igala worldwide
Long live the Igala Nation,
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
