The Igbo-Biafra Nationalists have extolled moves by Igbo political stakeholders to address De-marginalisation of South-East Zone and integration into national politics.
The convener of the group, Mazi Uche Mefor, stated this in a statement issued in Owerri on Thursday in his reaction to the colloquium organised by Igbo political stakeholders held at Anambra state, last week.
According to Mazi Mefor, “Professor Charles Okechukwu Esimone, at a colloquium themed ‘De-marginalisation of South-East Zone and Integration into National Politics,’ which was hosted in Nnewi, Anambra State, on Friday and attended by Igbo political stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made a case for the South-East adopting the initiative and proposal of the Igbo-Biafra Nationalists and the Indigenous People of Igbo Nation for Self-Determination on creating additional state(s) for the South-East as a plausible solution to the longstanding issues of marginalization of Ndigbo in Nigeria.
He said that the group acknowledged Sen.Ifeanyi Ubah’s contributions to the social and economic welfare of the people, by distributing palliatives and other essentials to his constituents.
The Convener of the Igbo-Biafra Nationalists and the Indigenous People of Igbo Nation, IBN & IPINS, dismissed being partisan and insisted that they do not have special interest in any individual, political party platform, or social-cultural group.
He however assured that they will always accommodate any efforts geared towards addressing the grievances of people facing serious crisis in Nigeria’s political space for “no one’s enemy can be our enemy.”
The group called for action from the elected representatives in the South-East region while urging them to transcend mere rhetoric and translate their proposals into tangible actions that address the longstanding marginalization of their people.
He said: ” is imperative that our senators and members of the House of Representatives take concrete steps by sponsoring bills on the floor of the national assembly to address the systemic marginalization of the South-East region. Until they do so, they remain complicit in perpetuating the problem rather than being part of the solution.”
The group observed with utmost responsibility that their relentless campaign is yielding results, as evidenced by the recent colloquium convened by South-East stakeholders to discuss the marginalization of our region.
He said that the gathering last week serves as vindication of the fact that the Igbo-Biafra Nationalists and the Indigenous People of Igbo Nation for Self-Determination are on the right path.
Mefor declared that during the colloquium, Prof Charles Esimone openly acknowledged and concurred with our stance that the Southeast’s limited representation with only five states is a significant factor contributing to our marginalisation.
He said: “This admission underscores the validity of our cause and reinforces the urgent need for action”.