BGIE and BSG both made the calls in a statement signed by Yahgozie Immanuel from the Communications Office of BGIE; and Evangelist Godspet Ijeoma Uhagiro, head of Communication of BSG.
The Biafra shadow governments said whether Biafrans vote or not, the status quo will remain the same, saying it confirms their position to encourage Biafrans to boycott the exercise but rather focus on gaining their freedom and extricating themselves from Nigeria.
According to them, no government or arm of government within the country supports Biafra in any form or configuration, since 1966, saying “the fact of the Biafra War and aftermath did nothing to change and has never changed this reality. Adoption of electoral democracy in Nigeria starting from 1999 has not altered this truth, nor have the various pernicious exercises of state-creation by Nigeria”
BGIE and BSG both said they will not participate in the election even as they “vehemently recommended that all Biafra Citizens should adopt this stance and boycott the election”.
According to them, all their activities are geared towards the restoration of the sovereign state of Biafra, based on certain facts.
They said at the end of every election exercise, Nigeria always produces results and winners, ushering a new administration regardless of the voters.
They said peoples votes do not count in Nigeria, adding that such administrations have a principled and inherent opposition towards Biafra or any mention of Biafra.
They said ” it is also a fact that such an administration, regardless of the conduct of the elections, has a principled and inherent opposition to anything Biafra or any mention of Biafra, even in Biafra land. For that matter, every political party registered in Nigeria must have signed an oath that makes it the functional equivalent of a criminal and or treasonable offense to adopt Biafra as the party’s standard or platform”.
Further, they argued that such administrations are pre-guaranteed to be 100 percent anti-Biafran.
BGIE and BSG warned that if Biafrans vote, there will be an anti-Biafran administration and even if they don’t vote, there will also be an anti-Biafran administration.
“We do not need to tell you what an anti-Biafran administration feels like in Biafra land. You started feeling that from 1966 before the war. Then, after the war, from 1970 until today, and this will be your fate for as long as Biafra remains forcibly annexed into Nigeria. (By the way, Biafrans in diaspora have not been spared Nigeria’s anti-Biafran activities,” the statement read.
The Biafra shadow governments warned that if they don’t vote, they will be exercising their right saying ” if we don’t vote, we are exercising the only freedom we have in this matter, which is to say, NO! to unconscionable subjugation. We are in effect saying, I know you will kill us, and we do not have the power to stop you at this time, but we will never submit to you and make it easier by offering you our unprotected neck.”
Further, they said “Finally, whether Biafrans vote or not, the status quo will remain the same, hence our position to encourage Biafrans to boycott the exercise and focus on gaining their freedom and extricating themselves from Nigeria.”
BGIE and BSG stated that the sovereignty of Biafra must be restored, even as they reasserted their belief in the principles of self-determination as enshrined in the UN Charter as the way forward, adding that they are doing something about it.
They opined that if President Muhamadu Buhari could openly support and call on the United Nations (UN) to act in respect of self-determination for Palestinians and Western Sahara people, then, it is also right for the people of Biafra.
The Biafra shadow governments said they wished Nigeria well in her future endeavours to improve the country saying if granted, Nigeria will be Biafra’s closest neighbour adding that they will always strive to live in peace with her neighbours.
They restated the right of Biafrans to self-determination as enshrined in international law and convention, saying we emphasize that in fulfilling this right, Biafra neither wages war nor peace with Nigeria; Biafra seeks her own survival and shall have it.”
