The Biafra Nations Youth League (BNYL) on Monday kicked off grassroots referendum programmes in South-South communities. BNYL Leader Princewill Obuka co-ordinated the grassroots engagements in Onna, Akwa Ibom State. Chiefs, elders and war veterans were in attendance.

BNYL had earlier stated that it would commence referendum activities yesterday, disclosing that the date was chosen as it marked the anniversary of the death of General Philip Effiong, Biafra’s second in command who after declaring a cease fire in January 1970, handed over Biafra’s instrument of surrender to Nigeria to mark the end of the three-year civil war.

Meanwhile, BNYL has cautioned Biafra agitators repeatedly making territorial declarations including South-South as part of Biafra. The group’s Deputy Leader and Head of Operations, Biafra Broadcasting Service, Ebuta Ogar Takon, who issued the warning, faulted the declaration by MASSOB on July 5, 2017 which sparked reaction by Ijaw Youth Council and the recent proclamation by the Spokespersons of IPOB, Barr. Emma Mmezu and Dr. Clifford Iroanya, declaring South-South and Middle Belt as Biafra territory.

Takon said the groups acted childishly by repeatedly making territorial declarations.

“What they keep saying is an insult to us, are they to include us in Biafra, an ancient region with a Bight that lies at our backyard, there are lots of people from South-South in Biafra struggle that the media do not cover their participation, instead they focus on Igbo agitators. Some BNYL members who are from South-South participated in most of the protest of which they are fully aware,” he said.

Takon, a Cross Riverian, advised Biafra agitators of Igbo extraction to respect the opinion of the minorities, even as he pointed out the great roles played during the war by minorities from the East. “We know who we are, but due to misunderstanding some deny the fact they are Biafrans. Geographically, Cross River is more in the East than the Igbo and any part of Biafra,” he said.

Takon further stressed that agitators ought to understand that in a multi ethnic region like the old Eastern region, ethnic tension and inferiority complex are expected. “It is normal, it doesn’t mean we don’t know our relationship,” he said.

The BNYL Deputy Leader added further that the minorities of the east fought and died for Biafra, and suffered loss alongside the Igbo after the war.

“We were victims of the 1966 Igbo massacre,” he said.

BNYL also warned on the implications of involving any region that was not part of the East.

Takon said: “I think middle belt should be allowed to decide. I have not seen any notable activist talking about Biafra from that side, history never recorded we were together. I would advise that we face Biafra sovereignty and maintain the main map, than trying to create another conflict after independence. If there are Igbos in that part as some claim, it is round-table conclusion.”

Takon said the BNYL will not support autocratic individuals and drastic decisions as “all Biafrans especially the agitators from all sections must sit to agree.”