Ebonyi State Refuses to Be Part of Biafra – Former Governor Dave Umahi Speaks Out
The agitation for the secession of the Eastern region of Nigeria, formerly known as Biafra, has generated considerable debate and concern since the emergence of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. While various states in the region are affected by this movement, it has raised questions about their potential role in any future referendum on secession from Nigeria.
These states include Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Abia, and Ebonyi, as well as some parts of Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Kogi, and Delta. It is anticipated that during a referendum, the people of these states who wish to remain part of Nigeria will have the opportunity to express their choice.
This ongoing push for disintegration and the diverse responses have been a subject of great concern to political leaders in the Southeastern region. While many citizens express dissatisfaction with the overall state of the nation, some politicians appear more optimistic about the current situation, despite the challenges of insecurity, economic difficulties, corruption, marginalization, and hardship.
These issues are widely perceived as the aftermath of the incomplete Reconciliation, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction processes following the end of the Civil War in 1970. These processes were meant to open the doors to a united Nigeria, but the country has since faced numerous challenges.
Responding to the ongoing agitation led by IPOB, the former governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Dave Umahi, made a strong statement affirming that Ebonyi State is not and will never be a part of Biafra.
During an interview on Channels Television, Umahi emphasized that Ebonyi State had experienced prolonged hardships and challenges. He expressed concern that the state was finally making progress, and someone else wanted to hinder its development. He referred to the former governor of the state, Chief Martin Elechi, who had previously asserted that Ebonyi should not be included in the Biafra agitation.
In his own words, Umahi stated:
“I have said before that Ebonyi State is not a part of Biafra. Anybody telling you that Ebonyi is Biafra is wasting his time. Ebonyi State will never be a part of Biafra. Chief Elechi has told you this, and I am saying it again that Ebonyi State cannot be part of Biafra. Ebonyi State has long been in difficult situations, and now that we are beginning to come out of it, they want to drag us back. No, we will never be in support of Biafra.”
