A popular Biafra agitator and separatist has sent a message to oil companies operating in the southeast region of Nigeria.
Ekpa, the Finland lawyer and prime Minister of the Biafra Government Republic in Exile, disclosed this in a letter on Tuesday to the Oil Producers Trade Section.
According to him, BRIGIE will protect both onshore and offshore oil businesses in the southeast region.
He assured oil companies in the region of maximum cooperation and guaranteed a conducive operating environment.
“The people of Biafra, represented by the old Eastern Region of Nigeria, were forced into an amalgamation with other ethnic nationalities with divergent orientation, religious and cultural beliefs. This amalgamation was conceived and forcefully implemented by the British in 1914 with a proviso that the fusion would be reviewed and rediscussed after one hundred years to dissolve the same if any constituent part indicated an interest in leaving the union. The period of 100 years expired in 2014.
“As you are aware from history and contemporary events, the people of Biafra were profiled and massacred in their abodes all over Nigeria in 1966, culminating in the declaration of the Republic of Biafra in 1967 and subsequent genocidal war waged by Nigeria from 1967 to 1970. This also saw the massacre of over five million Biafrans, a third of whom were children starved to death due to Nigeria and her collaborators’ land, air and sea blockade of Biafra.
“Today, the killings and ethnic cleansing are carried out by ISIS, ISWAP and Taliban-affiliated terrorists. This trend has been intensified and unabated in the Middle Belt and Biafra land over the last few years before and after the extraordinary rendition of the Leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. He is still unlawfully incarcerated despite orders for his unconditional release by the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and courts of competent jurisdiction in Nigeria.
“You may have also noticed that land owners are now refugees in Nigeria huddled together in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, and the terrorist marauders are heading south towards Biafra land. From all indications, we strongly believe that the Islamisation of Nigeria is on-top gear, with the ongoing destruction of the Biafra people by the Nigeria State, the political disenfranchisement, economic strangulation, forceful disappearance of Biafrans and the Muslim Muslim President and Vice President.
“Because of the preceding, the people of BIAFRA have created and established the BIAFRA REPUBLIC GOVERNMENT IN EXILE (BRGIE) headed by its Prime Minister, Mazi Simon Ekpa, to seek a referendum under the auspices of the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU). This will enable the people of the old Eastern Region, peacefully and without hindrance, to vote to decide which part of the divide they belong to (Biafra or Nigeria) as provided by the UN Charter on Human and People Right to Self Determination and Freedom of Association.
“Despite the preceding, Biafrans are not intimidated and will not hesitate to defend themselves if the need arises. We have also activated the De Facto Government of Biafra In Homeland, which will collaborate with the Biafra Republic Government In-Exile and other International organizations for the upcoming Self-Referendum for Biafra people.
“We are aware of the financial and material investments that your section has put in place for the exploration and exploitation of Oil and Gas both onshore and offshore Biafra. We, therefore, want to assure you that: Biafran restoration and independence will not jeopardize your interests and operations onshore and offshore Biafra; We are willing to enter into agreements with you and offer you better operating conditions and a conducive business environment than you currently have under the various operating agreements with Nigeria. I thank you all for your anticipated cooperation”.
Abia and Imo are major crude oil-producing states in Nigeria.