•As Igbo subgroup, Ekpeye Logbo endorses Biafra in Ahoada
By Chukwuemeka Chimerue
PORT HARCOURT— A Pro-Biafra group, The Biafra Nations Youth League, BNYL, has given more clarification and reasons behind the first military coup witnessed in 1966 which claimed lives of prominent northerners.
According to the Agency Report, many Nigerians, especially the political class, believed that the coup which they claimed caused the war, was an ‘Igbo coup’ since it did not affect any high profile person from the East.
However, reacting yesterday, during a BNYL Congress with indigenes of a sub-Igbo group, Ekpeye Logbo in Ahoada East, Rivers State, the nationwide leader of BNYL, Princewill Chimezie Richard, hinted the coup was perpetuated to create balance as a result of neglect of easterners who championed Nigeria’s independence.
The BNYL leader further explained that the first coup led by a Delta born Major Chukwuma Nzeogwu, was carried out due to the neglect by the then Prime Minister, Tafawa Balewa against Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and other easterners who fought for Nigeria’s independence, adding that the East was sidelined during his appointments and decision making policies.
The BNYL leader wondered why Azikiwe who was a frontline nationalist that wrestled the colonial masters was made a ‘Ceremonial President’ without executive powers to make decisions, saying it was a ploy to weaken the easterners politically.
Also speaking at the event, Mr Freeborn Ogheneovo, one of the leaders of the group in Delta State, questioned why the people of the old Eastern region would allow the Fulani people and the government to dictate and divide the region.
Ogheneovo, while calling for unity, said the division among the ethnic groups of the east has weakened the South-East and South South people.
Meanwhile, the Ekpeye people, a sub Igbo group in Rivers State has reportedly endorsed Biafra.
The people who spoke during the Congress in a video published by the BBS TV, lamented on the disunity and different agitations going on in the South South, especially in Rivers State.
Speaking in their native Ekpeye language, one of the leaders of the group in Rivers State, Ordu Jeff Onwosoriba whom one of the Ahoada Town Coordinator, Mr Bishop Olimini spoke on his behalf as he was absent, declared that the people of Ahoada East and West remains committed in the pursuit for Biafra restoration.
Ekpeye Logbo as an Igbo subgroup in Rivers State was sometimes classified as a separate ethnic group for political reasons in the State. Their King, Eze Robinson O Robinson, Eze Ekpeye Logbo, the second, was recently buried.
One of the highlights of the event was the observation of a minute silence in memory of the late King, Eze Ekpeye Logbo and the first son of the late Biafra leader, Debe Odimegwu Ojukwu.
