The world woke up on Friday to receive the news that the United Kingdom had voted to pull out of European Union (EU).
Apart from Greenland, one of Denmark’s overseas territories, which gained a greater degree of self-government after a referendum in 1982, no nation state has ever left the EU.
But a total of 33.6 million people across 41,000 polling stations participated in a referendum with results – 51.9 for BREXIT and 48.1 against it – sending waves of shock across the world.
In Nigeria, the agitation for the sovereignty of Biafra regained momentum, particularly on social media, after the UK voters made the historic decision.
Advertisement
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) are the groups in the frontline of the campaign for a separate state, and the appeal of the federal government has not made them shift ground.
The violence recorded during protests organised by these groups has been a source of concern. The effect of the recent one which occurred less than a month ago is still being felt.
While commemorating the 50th anniversary of the declaration of Biafra, campaigners clashed with security agents in different parts of the south-east. Both sides have continued to trade blame for the incidents, which left tales of woe.
Advertisement
Many were killed, some hospitalised, property destroyed, and some are still in detention. What is the solution to this problem? Should Nigeria hold a referendum to put the agitation to the test? We would like to hear from you.
Loading ...
72 comments
Your comment.. Biafran is our concern. Nigerian hate us they said we are all christian jews of africa.Using our resources.
YES
To stay together is not by force buhari should let biafran go, we have over stayed our welcome.
Yes..there should b a referendum
If there were to be a prize for the tribe has enjoyed the love and support of its fellow countrymen the most in Nigeria, there is very little doubt that the Igbos would beat other tribes hands down. They are free to prospect anywhere in the country, in spite of their atrogance and egocentric, nay, ethnocentric tendencies, they enjoy patronage and respect from other Nigerians. If they want to go, let them. But they should leave us in Niger Delta Alone. We are not Igbo.!
In referendum you have just one vote if it were to cover old Eastern region so friend speak your voice even me can’t tell my brother or sister where to cast his/her vote. Thank you!
Merely looking at your name you are by housa Fulani man to the north and look for your father,we don’t even need you in Biafra land
You talk as if anyone is forcing you to belong to Igbo. You’re not even the voice to decide so try to argue objectively.
It is pity that are not abreast with the fact.You said you allowed the IGBOS.You allowed us for what?because you can’t develop your ghettos and your wilderness.For your information the Igbos are a force to reckon all over the world.In all human endeavor.Check out our in all areas of human life both local and International then people like would be ashamed to insult the Igbos.What is your problem?the Igbos said that they want to be alone and you are crying wolf.Everyone has a right to self determination.You shut your dirty trap .
salami if that is actually your name,does not fit to where you said you come from. but the issue is that nobody is dragging your so called niger delta to this struggle,the struggle has been and we igbos are equal to the task.please if you are really from niger delta as you are claiming,you better go and change your name,
I don’t think any one is advocating for Nigerdeltans participation in Biafra. The Igbos have enough human and natural resource to sustain their new country. It is as simple as that.
Your house collapsed leaving it’s roof standing or that your untie gave birth to you for your mother’s husband margaret
Hello prince Salami,
if u r frm Delta as u said, then u shld go back in history as ppl what realy happened during the Biafra war. King sarowiwa was against said same thing u r saying but northern ppl killed him, i know if he was alive today he will be the first to ask for biafra, nevertheless u r just a child who know nothing abt his origin so i will not blame you.
yes
Referendum should be conducted, biafrans are dying everyday in the hands of nigerian government.
Yes
We need biafra, this marriag is not working and can not work so let us divide we have been marginalized and have been killed divide
NO NO NO to referendum we are amalgamated by force #we need our TOTAL FREEDOM ENOUGH BLOOD HAS BEEN SPLIT
YES,let there be a referendum. God forbid that i should be one Nigeria with blood thirsty demons, vampires
Referendum is the only option, peoples voice must be respected, by doing so if Nigeria wins good and Biafra wins good.
Your comment..we really need biafra
50 years old man to go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?
SHOCK AWAIT HAUSA/FULANI/YORUBA OLIGACHY IF REFERENDUM IS ORGANIZED.
TO AVOID DISGRACE AND SHSME THAT WILL FOLLOW THE RESAULT, LET BIAFRA SOVEREIGN NATION BE DECLEARED WITHOUT DELAY.
Any nation is a daily plebicite. So the disintegration of nations is not news, and the Biafran agitation is not unique in any sense. In any consideration of a desire ti go separatist boundaries are key. What the separatist protagonists have always put out infringe on non-Igbo groups and dare right to decide on their own. This action of the Igbo is bellicose. Moreover, a referendum is not initiated by unrecognised institution of agitators who deride and abuse their fellow nationals. For their uncivilised approach in a modern world, they should learn acts of civility and hold respect for others who are for now one with them. Where this culture is not engrained we as the Nigerian Nation may have to cope with unpresidented refugee problems from the very beginning of this new agreement. The political structures on ground they must acknowledge to help drive the agitation.
Let there be referendum.we are tired of this forceful marriage to Nigeria, we want to divorce.hoha!!!!
Let there be referendum because Egyptians who claimed that we are one Nigeria are killing us on daily bases. But the referendum should be hold by South-south and Southeast Nigeria who have being tortured by Egyptians of Nigeria.
Nigeria is not one we want Biafra so that we can freely worship our God
Its long overdue let there be a #Biafrexit refrendum, we are tired this union
Oil and water can never mixed, there is no sacrament between light and darkness… Yet,let’s have a referendum and disgrace the contraption called Nigeria.
Your comment yes because Nigeria is too big for one president to govern, and to you prince salami imo and abia state are very rich in oil in awrra ohaji imo state they have more than thirty oil wells and other communities in the same local government also in oguta and egbema when we mention biafra some of you will be saying things about niger delta because of oil,mali as nation are existing without oil and sea port
We should be allowed to go as the Israelites in Nigeria. Keeping us will cause more harm than they think.
We don’t need the referendum,the corrupt Buhari and his corrupt administration will still rig it as they did in the just concluded presidencial election,, we are tired of being slave in our own land, we want to try the other side, thank you
Yes,a referendum should be conducted, because Biafra’s has suffered a lot in the hands of Nigeria government.
Yeah. Iet there be referendum. Biafra needs my talent, and i want to give it to her 100%.I will never do anything for this useless and wicked zoo called Nigeria.. Shame
The blood of innocent and unarmed biafrans killed and spilt by the PMB government cries against this country Nigeria, and against the government. By that blood Buhari has already signed the independence, the freedom of Biafra. It is only a matter of time. Thank you.
Yes
Staying in this zoo is a waste of time. We want to go our separate ways, so that pace will reign in Nigeria nd biafra. Yes referendum should be conducted
Your comment..Yes, let there be a referendum
I did not welcome any boundary bearer against the Biafran states, they may say or do anything they want but for the boundaries of the Biafran states shall not be tampered. Biafrans are all the original Eastern regions not only the five igbo speaking but all both bakkassi we are many… Come to the comment that awo said concerning our lands across the niger river… I beleive the awo himself knew that he is not the real African black awo is one of the problems the Biafrans had till now. But thank God that he is just ordinary sand and dust. But where is awo now? Let him come and divid the brothers that live in peace with a common goal because of oil. Are they not have oil in the west? They have everything but it is their wickedness and self centeredness is their problem.. All our brothers knew that all Biafrans are one and in good tone to get their quest for peace to rain and for blood stop to flow unnecessarily, and any body should not divided the Biafrans because of their selfish ness
I did not welcome any boundary bearer against the Biafran states, they have no powere to divid us. We, all the regions both those across the niger river and those they called minority and those they called igbo speaking are one Biafra we need our nation Biafra.
Capital YES
I am tired of been called 2nd class citizen
Funny question. if a referendum is initiated, it can,be easily manipulated cos the north already claim they have the largest population. Unless only the southerners vote. And also, why is the south-east eager to separate with the south-south? Are you looking at their oil too? For me the igbos can do well all by themselves. Dredge river Niger decentralize the government, review the constitution, secularise Nigeria and practice true federalism, these will solve our problems in Nigeria not separation…
Pharaoh let my people go! We are done with this force marriage called Nigeria. Self determined people should be allowed their freedom. Britain has set this precedent so let there be referendum for Biafra. International community should champion this course if actually they are honest in their peace campaign in Nigeria. It has been observed from different quarters that the western countries will continue to sow the seed of political instability in Africa in order to sriffle African development so that Africa will continue to be dependent on them.”Neo colonialism”
Pharaoh let my people go! We are done with this force marriage called Nigeria. Self determined people should be allowed their freedom. Britain has set this precedent so let there be referendum for Biafra. International community should champion this course if actually they are honest in their peace campaign in Nigeria. It has been observed from different quarters that the western countries will continue to sow the seed of political instability in Africa in order to sriffle African development so that Africa will continue to be dependent on them.”Neo colonialism” Biafra agitation will confirm or debunk this assertion, let watch how this plays out and the contributions of the west in peaceful resolution of these diverse ethnic nationalities grievances.
It’s better to allow the will of the people to prevail on issues like this than to resist it and cause violence. We are practicing democracy which respects majority opinions. I support the call for a referendum to determine the fate of Biafra in Nigeria.
Your comment..Biafra is ripe by the grace of God we will be free in Jesus name Amen
The people of Scotland wanted independence and it was put to a referendum. I followed the whole process on BBC and I have now come to the following conclusions.
1. Referendum does not mean you can go, it means you have a stake in the decision being taken about you.
2. Because you have a stake in the decision, everyone feels important and satisfied.
3. Resources are devoted to civic education and you are better informed on the consequences of your vote.
4. Bloodshed is avoided because the civic path is taken to arrive a consensus.
So I support the idea of a referendum not because I desperately want Biafra but I think it is an avenue for the government to engage the agitators and battle it out in the field of public opinion.
God hear our cry,it’s our heart desire to be free. Nevertheless, let your will be done
The peaceful refredom is the best way cuz nothing last For ever.
Thanks
All i have to say is give them Biafra. It is they right to be free. U can force someone to stay with u. Pls leave them to Go.
Britain has set the pace.Union is not by force.let us go for referendum
unity by force is slavery…. we can’t continue to be in shackles for over decades. we can’t continue to answer one Nigeria when locally there’s no traces of peace amongst us. We Igbos are peaceful, we don’t kill to make heaven, we don’t kill unnecessarily. We’ve eaten Nigeria to our fill and I think it’s high time we left in peace, because we wouldn’t want it to end in pieces. #I_BELIEVE_IN_BIAFRA
Yes. There should be a referendum for the people of Biafra if that is the only option available. But, the declaration of Biafra by the Eastern region in 1967 was even enough to tell the world that the generality of the former easterners want independence. Biafra is where we belong and will feel secured if it is granted us.
let’s have our own poll in nigeria,,,,,
You see; it will be better for us to hold this refrendum and decided the unity of this unholy marriage called nigeria. Only a blind person we say that he or she does not know that Befria will
be.Evenat the risk of killing millions of Ibos, the struggle freedom will continue.
Your comment..ya,referendum is the best option.
we are tired of marginalization, we want to go. I vote yes
YES.we BIAFRANS want to be free.we are tired of killing of our brothers from the hands of nigeria.ALL HAIL BIAFRA
Your comment..In the arena of hatred,figting & killing biafrans,injustice & cheating in alocation sharering of revenures,non equal representative in national assemble.lack of infrastructure in that region from nigeria government. The best solution is separation. YES (Referendum).
What do these muslim want from biafran prople? is it not wise to let biafrans go so that every country whether biafra, niger delta, oduduwa, middle belt, arewa and muslim d north east should start trading according to what they have. there is gold in d west and even in d north, why not go and start making research of ur natural resources and leave biafrans alone? why? this is modern world and there is nothing like war. the whole world is awarr and knows d truth.
hungry will not kill any of them as long as world bank is there, any country who seperate can borrow funds from world bank.
pls be wise every one.
Your comment..for me, democracy allow fredom of choice. Instead of this concentration camp called nigeria, let deconjest it by self determination.
I need BIAFRA.
all we need is our freedom, biafra or nothing
all does u said dat the igbos should leave d niger delta alone are not niger deltas or even if there are, we hv 5 states. but two states are d most oil producing state which are akwa ibom nd rivers.
d people of akwa i and cross rivers are d first people who come to join wit d eastner to form biafra and they fight nd die 4 d same cause. nw we all most all people in bayes and delta state and all so many even in rivers state also in edo and one will say they should leave d niger delta alone, d question is are u d only person in niger delta. silomi is a name dat only d yorubas bear.
I am from niger delta
am from akw ibom, in uyo town.
all d people of my state support biafra. God bless u biafra
i think this is right time to hold the referendum.
Biafra is calling..
Your comment.it is only lazy govt wit lazy followers wil be afraid to grant biafra via referendum, and so i support #BIAFEXIT. now or never?
Abraham Lincoln says , “Those who deny freedom to others deserved it not for themselves. Let the go… The journey to Biafra is reality that must come to pass
Considering the endless crisis in Nigeria, the major crisis may have to do with Islamism, Lawlessness and Military politics manufactured by Hausa Fulanis which produced the evil in Nigerian leadership, this has discard morals which is the means of non-violence.
We cannot sit still to see our people being killed for personal or religious gains Nigeria. It is not moral to watch the people being match to jail in exercise of their right to freedom of speech. If we look on, our freedom will disappear and with it the spirit of Truth.
Once we are free, human beings will or could turn to the doctrine of Non-violence in his renewed Biafran Nation State of self-discipline, integrity, respect, honesty, and practice of Non-violent.
May God bless Biafra at home and in the Diaspora.
All will need now is Biafra nothing more
Your comment..U K wanted to be out from European Union, it was granted unto them sharply after their vote,why then ours(Biafra) won’t be even after the failed plan(war)of Britain/zoo in 1969.FREE BIAFRA,FREE NNAMDI KANU.
in
four successive pogroms terrifying in their hatred, barbarity and periodicity – May 29th,
July 29th, September 29th, and October 29th – 1966, over 30,000 Igbo people domiciled in
northern Nigeria as well as Igbo military officers were systematically ethnically
cleansed.6
The Organization of African Unity, Britain (Nigeria’s former colonial ruler),
the Vatican (Igbos are mostly Catholic), the United Nations, Pan-Africanists, Socialists,
Communists, the African diaspora, and so forth were incredulously mute—and still are—
in the face of abundant evidence.7
Neither the government of the Northern Region (where
the genocide occurred) and nor the government of the federation of Nigeria (the ultimate
authority in the land) was held accountable—and none has still been held accountable—
for what happened. They will not stop killing us so yes on BIFRA WE STAND GIVE IT TO US.
Your comment..Release Nnamdi KANU and allow Referandum.
Free Nnamdi Kanu and let the United Nations conduct the referendum. The useless war didn’t achieve anything after 50 years. Referendum is the only answer.