A
socio-cultural group, Ufedo Foundation of Nigeria, UFN, yesterday, demanded for
an open apology from the Biafra agitators of the South East geo-political zone
for
inclusion of Igala Kingdom of Kogi State in their purported map of a
Republic of Biafra.
The group,
which described the action as fraud and grave insult to the Igala race, also
demanded for immediate retraction of the wrongful inclusion.
Addressing a
press conference at New Gate Lodge and Apartment, Maitama, in Abuja, the
Trustee of Ufedo Foundation of Nigeria, Dr. Labaran Abalaka, said the inclusion
was mischievous since there was no time a meeting was held between the Igalas
of Kogi State and the leadership of Biafra agitators to discuss the inclusion
of the Igala race in Biafra agenda.
According to
him, “Recently, the attention of Foundation has been drawn to a purported map
of Republic of Biafra, a copy of which is hereby attached, by agitators from a
section of the South East geo-political zone of the country.
“The
agitators are glamouring for the creation of a Republic of Biafra out of the
present Federal Republic of Nigeria. In the said map, the Igala Kingdom in the
Eastern part of Kogi State, in Kogi East Senatorial District was included as
forming a part of the said Republic of Biafra.
“Ufedo Foundation of Nigeria
wishes to categorically disassociate herself from inclusion of Igala people in
the so called map of Biafra.the Foundation is aware that no meeting was held
between the Igalas of Kogi State and the leadership of Biafra agitators with a
view to discussing the inclusion of the Igala race in the Biafra agenda.
“Neither there has been any discussion, or any contemplation at any time, for
the Igalas to move out of the present Nigerian state.
For the Biafran agitators
to single-handedly carve a map of their envisaged Republic and include the
Igala Kingdom—the 9th largest ethnic group in Nigeria amounts to fraud and a
grave insult to the Igala race. “We demand an open apology for the insult, and
immediate retraction of the wrongful inclusion.
“The Igalas are satisfied being
in Nigeria, and are contended with the present Nigerian state. They are
therefore, not contemplating any secession. We will present our own grievances
with Nigerian state, if any, and as the situation may arise, through the
appropriate channel and at the appropriate time.
“Even though Ufedo Foundation
of Nigeria is a non-political and non-partisan, and the Biafra issue may be political
in nature depending an individual perspective, we feel obliged to defend our
people by doing the needful. We therefore, say capital no to any mischievous
inclusion of our land in the Biafra agenda.
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