An Itsekiri group called the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought (ILoT) has lambasted the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) for including Itsekiri land in the Biafra map.
In a statement by its Chairman Edward Ekpoko and Secretary, A. S. Mene, the group maintained that the Itsekiri people are not part of Biafra.
”Itsekiri homeland of Warri is not part of that enterprise. We recall with pains the day the defunct Biafra Army invaded Warri and Benin in the then Midwestern Region on the 9th of August, 1967 and say never again will the Itsekiri tolerate such an invasion.
”The Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality is committed to the unity of Nigeria and will do all it can to promote and protect it as one and indivisible country. We can always seat and dialogue on our differences.
”As Major General Phillip Effiong said on 14th January, 1970 that the Republic of Biafra ceased to exist so we the Itsekiri wish it to be eternally for the peace and development of our great Nation,” the group said.
Agitation
ILoT also condemned the ultimatum given by the coalition of northern youths group to the Igbos to quit the region.
”We commend the Arewa Consultative Forum, the Northern Governors Forum especially Governor El-Rufai of Kaduna State for their bold steps in condemning the youths,” the group said.
The Itsekiri group called on Igbo elders to bring its agitators to order.
”To call the Igbo youths who have been using Biafra to destabilize the nation to order.
”Perhaps if the Igbo elders did what Arewa Consultative Forum and the Northern elders are doing, this tension would have been avoided,” the statement said.
