Minister of Works Dave Umahi has come under fire from a group of pan-Igbo self-determination campaigners for his recent assertion that the Biafra struggle is no longer required.
Speaking during a tour of ongoing government projects in the South-East, Umahi stated that President Bola Tinubu’s integration of the region into Nigeria’s mainstream had eliminated the need for Biafra movement.
However, the minister lacks the authority to speak for Ndigbo, according to a joint statement released on Saturday by the American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID), Ambassadors for Self-Determination (ASD), and Rising Sun Foundation (RSF).
Maxwell Dede of the Rising Sun Foundation, Ben Nwankwo of the Ambassadors for Self Determination, and Sylvester Onyia of AVID signed the declaration headlined “David Umahi lacks the powers to speak for Ndigbo.”
The pan-Igbo rights organizations responded to Umahi’s remarks by advising the minister not to give himself authority that he does not possess.
Senator David Umahi made an unguarded statement that caught our attention: “Ndigbo should forget Biafra agitation because the Federal Government has addressed all of their challenges.” Therefore, we would want to remind him that he is not authorized to speak on behalf of Ndigbo. He shouldn’t give himself the authority that he lacks. Biafrans do not believe in traitors like him, as he stated that he does not believe in Biafra. He is not being forced to join the fights, but he is unable to speak for the people or put an end to the movement.
“After being exploited and abandoned by their slave owners, we have witnessed serial betrayers like him who are now living in remorse. Ndi Igbo is not represented by Dave Umahi. He doesn’t represent Alaigbo. He does not represent Biafraland. He doesn’t even speak for everyone in Ebonyi State; he simply speaks for himself.
According to the activists, Umahi’s assertion that Ndigbo are no longer marginalized is offensive to their sensibilities.
What has Tinubu’s administration or the federal government accomplished for Alaigbo?
What has Alaigbo gained since Tinubu became office? The Lagos-Kano and Katsina-Niger Republic tracks are operational, therefore why is the Umuahia-Enugu railway still inoperable? Why does one state in the South-West have four ministers but the South-East still only has five, including two junior ministers?
“Is Umahi unaware that, despite our people being the nation’s top importers, the South-East lacks a seaport? Does Igbo Land have a working cargo airport? Are there any significant federal maritime projects or industries? These things exist in other areas. “Alaigbo doesn’t,” the message continued.
The pan-Igbo activists further denounced the minister’s remarks, saying, “So when someone like Umahi pretends to speak for Ndigbo, we must ask: what exactly is he defending? Why is Mazi Nnamdi Kanu incarcerated for life but actual terrorists and mass mothers are allowed to roam freely and receive lighthearted treatment?
According to the activists, Kanu was imprisoned with the help of the British government and “a few Nigerian politicians like Umahi,” who prioritized their own comfort over justice.
“People are upset because of this. People feel deceived because of this. Anyone who contributes to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s incarceration is acting against the Igbo people. Saboteurs will always be on the wrong side of history, Umahi should understand.
According to the statement, some Jews in Europe hid being Jewish in order to protect themselves during persecution, but this did not end the suffering, “and it did not stop the creation of Israel in 1948.”
Therefore, Umahi’s denial of Biafra today is nothing new. There have been instances of betrayal by locals. History has never been halted by it. Umahi is smaller than Biafra.
Umahi is not the focus of the Biafra conflict. It has nothing to do with appointments. It has nothing to do with appeasing Abuja. It has to do with self-respect, justice, and dignity. People might attempt to undermine it. The activists emphasized that they would fail.
In a similar spirit, the American Veterans of Igbo descent, Ambassadors for Self-Determination, and Rising Sun Foundation reiterated their call for Nnamdi Kanu’s prompt release.
Additionally, they insisted that Umahi be held responsible for the violence in the Southeast.
“Umahi shouldn’t give us cause to believe that he is among those impeding the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. He was one of the creators of Ebube Agu, which caused chaos among our people. The statement continued, “Those who founded Ebube Agu should be held responsible for the atrocities in Igbo land that are frequently mistakenly attributed to IPOB and ESN.”
