WHY BIAFRA SERIES 1: NIGERIA IS NOT A COUNTRY

So May 30, the day of Biafra's declaration is around the corner. Usually I run posts throughout the
month talking about Biafra history but this year I been occupied with the Biafra Memorial Phd
Scholarship. I think the Biafra war has been discussed and analyzed a lot. However, I think that it is
necessary to discuss "THE PRESENT NEED FOR BIAFRA." So in a series of concise posts from
now till the end of the month, I would share with you the "NEO BIAFRAN CAUSE."
The concisest reason for Biafra is that Nigeria is NOT a country. A country is DESIGNED for a PEOPLE. A
people are NOT designed for a country. Unfortunately, the latter is the case with Nigeria. Nigeria is not
designed for any known Nigerian because Nigeria was not designed by the people called "Nigerians" but
by the British. In fact, the name Nigeria was given by the wife of the British Governor General at the
time. It is not an extant name like India or Malay. And it was designed solely for British profit. Therefore,
it is no surprise that Nigeria is a "failed nation state" with respect to its people, but an "extremely
successful invention" for the aggrandization of the British wealth. Recently, the British Foreign Minister
boasted of how the UK's investment in Nigeria via the multinational Shell. However, these investments
yield no dividends to the Nigerian people.
So Nigeria is fantastic as far as the West (America, Britain, etc) is concerned. It is why despite scoring
low on accountability indexes, Nigeria gets a lion share of foreign aid from the West than genuine
countries like Malawi, Namibia, that have made effort towards accountability (Mo Ibrahim index). It is a
PRIZED OVERSEAS ASSET.
Nigeria is not a COUNTRY and it is therefore necessary to create a country that will be specialized for its
people. It is for this reason that we need BIAFRA.
Link: https://www.desmog.uk/2017/01/24/revealed-uk-ministers-lobbied-nigeria-government-
protect-oil-giant-shell
WHY BIAFRA SERIES 2: NIGERIA, THE BRITISH TROPHY
So yesterday, we established the need to DESIGN a COUNTRY for a people. However, the question
becomes what people are we designing the nation for Nigerians? But wait the British created Nigeria so
who are Nigerians? Do they have a common history? No. Do they have a common language? No; for this
reason English is the official language. (French and Spanish are closer languages than Yoruba and Igbo)
Do they have a common religion?No- at the center of Nigeria is the boundary where Islamic Jihadi
expansion of Northern Africa comes to a halt and meets Christianity and other indigenous African
religions. Do they have a common culture/Value? No. Make no mistake, this is an intentional design. By
colliding incompatible parties, you sustain a rivalry among the constituent parties, supporting one side
over the other and ensuring that they are unable to synergize to eventually make any progress keeping
them dependent on their masters. Thus, you observe that most African nations have their greatest
partnership with their imperial masters. Eg Britain and America are Nigeria's greatest allies than
neighboring African Ghana.
In fact Nigeria is the only British Federation still in existence: West Indies Federation, FAILED; East
Africa Federation,FAILED; Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland; FAILED. Federation of Malaysia and
Singapore, FAILED. Nigeria is a prized British federation. It is her majesty the Queen's trophy. Therefore
in 1967 when Biafra was trying to leave Nigeria (Singapore and Malaysia had just split that same year)
Britain could not afford to lose Nigeria so they did everything necessary to kill Biafra (the Biafran civil
war is the bloodiest civil war of the 20th century - genocide, and starvation were British sanction
instruments of war).
But to design a nation state, it is necessary that a defined people exist. A defined people share common
historic and cultural values that bind them together despite their various differences. It based on these
common values that nationhood is built. It is these common values that ensure that despite how bitterly
the people bicker, these common values prevent their explosion. Hence, once certain common values are
established, the design of a nation to the specific weakness and strengths of such a people becomes a
possible exercise. In the Nigerian case, such a design is IMPOSSIBLE. Therefore, we select a people who
have shared historic and cultural heritage, shared values. These are the people of old eastern part of
Nigeria.We specialize the country called Biafra for the people of this region.
WHY BIAFRA SERIES 3: SUICIDAL IGBOS
Before we begin designing a nation for a people, we need to understand the people whom we design this
nation for. We must focus on the culture, the values, and beliefs that these people have in common. We
use the Igbo as a representative sample for this analysis of the people of Old Eastern Nigeria which also
includes the Annang, Efik, Ibibios, Ijaws, who share similar traditions and cultures -food, festival,
dressing,etc.
1. REPUBLICANISM:The Igbos have the unique quality of being one of two ethnic groups in the whole of
West Africa which did not have a monarchy. The other group are the Ewes in present day Ghana. In fact,
there is a great DISDAIN for AUTHORITY among the Igbo. The Igbos say Eze bu ilo. The king is the
stranger/enemy. The Igbos were organized into autonomous villages. Each village was almost like a mini
nation with distinct traditions and even language. The political institutions of ancient Igbo society were
groups like the Umunna, an assembly of related families within a village. Debates and arguments are
themes of these kinds of society. Even God himself is NOT exempted. Achebe points that when Eri met
the marshy earth, rather than beg God for help, he argued and complained to him.
2. INDIVIDUALISM:The Igbos are individualistic in nature. There is an emphasis on personal
accomplishments and responsibility. Igbo society has no tolerance for laziness. Hard work and bravery
worshiped. They are an extremely competitive people who fight to outdo each other. Since each village is
autonomous, they each strive to distinguish themselves from others. Achebe explaining the origin of the
word Igbo suggested that it was a derogatory word. Every Igbo kept referring to an Igbo from another
village as Onye Igbo meaning bushman. However, since they were all referring to each other as
bushmen, they became identified as Ndi Igbo. The Igbos have an appreciation of the failure of
collective enterprise. An Igbos adage warns that It is the village-owned goat that starves. Thus, every
man is responsible for his own development. Even when a collective front exists, it is designed for the
advancement of its members. e.g. Igbo Unions.
3. COMMERCE: This is the one feature that unified ancient Igbo societies. Commerce was so important
that the Igbo days of the week are named after the four market days. They were not named after gods or
fore fathers, but after TRADE!!! Business is of utmost importance to the Igbo. Show me an Igbo
man/woman and I will show you a local enterprise. It was through trade and not war (contrast the Oyo-
Benin wars or the Jihadi expansion of the Fulanis) that the Igbos spread its influence to other
neighboring communities. The Igbos also traded with non-Igbo communities and over time Igbo became
a second language for these communities e.g. Opobo. (continued in comments)
4.DYNAMISM: Igbos have no loyalties. They are only loyal to progress. Nsibidi, ancient Igbo writing was
learnt from the Ekoi people. The Igbo is the man/woman who gladly takes a Yoruba name to succeed in
Lagos. It should not surprise you that Igbo Chidinma raps in Yoruba than any female Yoruba artist. He is
receptive of any idea which he finds superior to his. Achebe says that in the celebration of life and its
creativity, Mbari, the white man was celebrated. The Igbos had come to appreciate a civilization clearly
more advanced than theirs. This explains the infiltration of western culture (Christianity in particular)
among the Igbos. When those white missionaries entered the evil forests and nothing happened, the
Igbos came to abandon the gods of their fathers. Achebes Things Fall Apart explores this clash of
civilization
WHY BIAFRA SERIES 4 - THE RETURN OF THE REPBLIC!!!
Yesterday we summarized 4 key attributes - that define the Igbos, a representative sample of the people
found in Old Eastern Nigeria.YAY! so we are READY to design this nation called Biafra, specialized to the
qualities of these people.
1. INDIVIDUAL ENTERPRISE: An individualistic people need a nation founded on private enterprise.
Therefore, in Biafra, there shall be the right to private property. In Biafra, individuals shall be
responsible for fulfilling their own needs. This is fitting with a people who have an utmost appreciation
for commerce and industry. Thus, this nation shall be a market society. The people are empowered with
the means of production to address their own needs. This contrasts Nigeria, where private property is
seized by a government for the "commonwealth" of the nation. In Biafra, there is only PRIVATE and not
COMMON wealth.Thus the active players in Biafra are the citizens and not the government.
2. REFEREE GOVERNMENT: A people who have a disdain for authority have no need of a government. In
fact, a traditional government has no role in such an individualistic society. It is a passive agent.
However, for a market society to function, there must be a referee, a trusted third party (TTP). This is
the role of government in this society. Government in this society is an institution which the active
players trust to arbitrate and enforce contracts established among the parties according to the
established rules agreed on by the active players. Unlike Nigeria where government is expected to fight
poverty and do everything, in Biafra the people are empowered with the means of production to
address their own needs. A typical Igbo man/woman can take care of his/her business and does not
need the government to do this on his behalf. They love to hustle and "push containers." The role of
government in this society can be expanded when there are certain needs which such a society have
agreed to devolve to a government perhaps due to its unprofitability. Thus, they the active players are
responsible for paying the government (via taxation) for the fulfilment of these needs. So even if a strong
government emerged, it was one of evolution from need and not a priori.
3.NATION OF NATIONS: Each community as in ancient Igbo society is a nation of its own. Their referees
(aka government) are independent of those from other communities. National referees also exist to
arbitrate on intercommunity of national issues. Each community delegates a referee to represent their
needs at the national level. The independence of communities also ensures the individualism of
communities. They own the means of production and so can advance at their own pace according to
their budget. A community's agenda cannot be set back by other communities as long as they do not
infringe on the right of other, communities; contrast this with the QUOTA SYSTEM of Nigeria.
WHY BIAFRA SERIES 5: RETURN OF THE REPUBLIC - 2
4. LOCALIZATION OF POLITICS: Ancient Igbo society was a republic of loose but interacting
communities. Biafra shall continue this tradition. Since the active agents in Biafra are the individual,
politics becomes local. The real decisions affecting the people of a community are made via their local
associations eg. Onitsha Traders Association (our Chamber of Commerce). These associations then meet
with their local referees (aka government) to draft laws and bills to address their concerns as active
players. Note that referees (government) are local and independent of different communities thus
providing for specialized refereeing (governance).
5.PLURALITY OF FACTION: Even though we have succeeded in getting the government out of our lives.
We must be wary of monopolies, be it political or economic. Monopoly is tyranny in itself. Therefore, to
check such vice, we allow for factions; FACTIONS FIGHT FACTIONS. Thus, progress will require a
political equilibrium among warring parties. A dangerous faction cannot be unitarily destroyed, but it
can be neutralized by a plurality of reasonable factions. Therefore, the right to association and the
freedom of speech and all necessary ingredients needed to sustain a plurality of factions must be
engendered by Biafra. The balkanization, that results from the plurality of faction is checked by the
merits of being part of a larger union. If it is too small it is ineffective; if it is too large it explodes, hence a
balance is struck. This I believe is what sustained the republicanism of ancient Igbo society and
prevented the emergence of an absolute monarchy.
6. BILL OF RIGHTS: Though the referee government, and plurality of factions prevents the tyranny of the
minority, there exists the TYRANNY OF THE MAJORITY. The Osu, caste system, a shameful part of Igbo
history further highlights the need for a universal set of rights which all communities must agree to
irrespective of their local politics. Some communities enforced the caste system while others did not.
Since no absolute power existed to unilaterally abolish the caste system, the caste system thrived.
Learning from history, we avoid a similar event in the present day by establishing a bill of rights, a
contract to which all communities in the union shall be signatories too. This contract which can be
subject to revision through a super majority of the constituents of the union, shall trump every politics
of the local.
Having now proposed a design for the Biafra Republic we proceed to evaluate its merits in comparison
with the British invented empire state of Nigeria
WHY BIAFRA SERIES 6 - BIAFRA VERSUS NIGERIA
1. INDIVIDUAL SATISFACTION: In an empire state like Nigeria (a sandwich of incompatible ethnicities),
a peoples satisfaction is based on what they consider ethnic accomplishment. eg. a Hausa will vote for
Buhari even when he gets no benefit from his government. Why? Because in an empire state
accomplishment is measured by which ethnic group is in power-"Na we dey rule". Nigeria is not an
individualistic nation, where success is measured by individual satisfaction. Ethnic zoning as opposed to
meritocracy is the order of the day. A Yoruba cannot be president back to back even if he is the best
candidate. We have to get an Igbo to be president after the Yorubas turn even when the Igbo candidate
is horrible. Since Biafra is more homogeneous nation, such ethnic consciousness becomes
inconsequential. Moreover, Biafran individualism goes for the man who puts more money in his pocket.
2. LEADERSHIP: Nigerians always complain that the problem with their country is lack of quality
leadership. They seek a leader who will take care of all their needs; a leader who will have the masses
at heart. (their favorite phrase). However, we know that such leaders are a fantasy. Even if they existed,
they are so rare, thus Nigeria often ends up with bad leaders." However, in Biafra, individuals are
empowered with the means of production to take care of their own needs. Who else can better take care
of you if not you!!! All Biafra needs are referees to regulate the individuals (the active players) in Biafra.
3.COMPETITION: A market economy nation thrives on competition. Selfishness/greed begets
competition.Competition begets efficiency. Efficiency begets wealth. Remember, Ibos are selfish (I
Before Others).The Biafran economy thrives on competition. The independence of its constituent
communities also means that communities compete among themselves. With independence comes
responsibility. Owerri is not responsible for Igweocha. Competition embraces meritocracy as opposed to
nepotism. Amawbia is ready to do business with whomever (even Onye Ofemanu) to win their ancient
rivals, Awka. An economically efficient and creative society emerges in Biafra. In 30 years of embracing
the market economy, China has lifted 500 million people from poverty. This is the power of a capitalism.
Contrast Nigeria where we have discriminatory admission or budget allocation based on quota system.
What gross inefficiency!!!
4. FIGHT FOR POWER: In Nigeria, there is power. The wealth and means of production are concentrated
in government. So, people kill to get into government. You go in a poor come out a rich man. Well bad
news for politicians in Biafra. There is no power or money in government. Except you willing to make a
smaller (referee) salary than you could be making as a business man (player) in Onitsha, there is no
incentive to being a referee (governor). Running for office becomes the affair of genuine candidates.
WHY BIAFRA SERIES 7 - BIAFRA VERSUS NIGERIA 2
5.CORRUPTION: When the nations wealth is concentrated in an institution called government, why
wont there be corruption. Are these people not human? Even Jesus was tempted? In Biafra, corruption
cannot exist. Means of production belongs to private individuals and not government. So how can there
be the usual Nigerian embezzlement? It is we the people in charge of our own money. Eg. Oil is found in
Emekas backyard; you contract an oil company to extract. This is private business. How can there be
government corruption? The Biafran referees only come in to ensure that Emeka does not pollute the
environment. Biafras government are referees. Bribed referees can exist but their effect would not be
as damning as in Nigeria.
6. LOCALIZATION OF POLITICS: In Nigeria power is concentrated at Aso Rock. Nigerians are detached
from the very people who make decisions that affect their lives. The localization of politics in Biafra
ensures that the decisions that affect the lives of a people are made at institutions that they have direct
access to. Localization also clears the classism that marks Nigerian politics. Only rich people go into
politics in Nigeria. You dont see a nonentity politician. Biafras localization of politics enables the local
traders at Aba via their trade associations have access to political power. They need not travel to Aso
Rock or begging politician like the traders in this video. Localization brings power to the people.
7. DISSENT: A nation that engenders faction is a nation of busy referees. There will be lots of fights, and
law suits. The press will be free. There will be debates and arguments. There will be associations and
protests. The extent of our liberties would be tested in landmark court judgements. Democracy shall be
an experiment in Biafra. The institutions of our democracy, the referees courts, legislatures, agencies,

would be exercised and not atrophy as in Nigeria. Do court rulings mean anything in Nigeria?
Biafra protects the right to protest and encourages protest. Achebes Okonkwo, Ojukwu, Kanu are all
protesters. Biafra is founded on DISSENT. Contrast Nigeria, where they kill unarmed protesters and
harass and imprison the opposition.
8. DECENTRALIZATION: Remember the referees (government) are local and independent of each other.
Thus if a referee is corrupt in Calabar, such corruption cannot spread across the nation, as there exists
no top down structure. Look at this example. Imagine there are 4 provinces in Biafra. They each have
independent EFCCs. The probability of EFCC to be corrupt in all 4 provinces, assuming a 50% chance of
corruption is (0.5^4) a 6.25 percent for the entire provinces in Biafra to be corrup.Now contrast this
with Nigeria with one EFCC from Abuja regulating the entire nation.Then the probability of corruption is
(0.5^1) a staggering 50%.Is anyone surprised that Nigerians always cry of corruption?
9. DIVERSIFICATION: In Nigeria we hear their government talk about diversification. Nigeria'soil mono-economy arose
when they decided to commandeer the wealth of private citizens (oil) as COMMON WEALTH. In an individualistic Biafra,
diversification is only natural. Since wealth is private, and constituents communities are independent of each other, it is
only natural that they embark in diverse economic activities according to resources and comparative advantages to meet
their economic needs. So in Nnewi and Aba it manufacturing, in Onitsha commerce, at Abakiliki agriculture, Igweocha sea
transportation, and many more. Biafra's individualism and market economy equals a diversified economy. WHO DOES
ABA NEED? NIGERIA OR BIAFRA?
VIDEO OF MADE IN ABA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCcU6YA_QvY
WHY BIAFRA SERIES 8 - MANIFEST DESTINY
So as I bring this series to an end (not till the final one, warning of the enemies of the revolution) I will
like to highlight the ramifications of Biafra. We started by identifying and understanding our problem in
Nigeria, the colonial invention. Then we set out to start afresh and design a new country for an identified
people. We identified key attributes of these people and then designed a nation that is specialized to the
strengths and weaknesses of these people. Then we compared it to Nigeria, and highlighted the merits of
the Biafran Republic.
But, everything we argued could apply to other groups of people across Africa chained in imperial
bondage. Nothing in the logic of our argument is unique to Biafrans. The same arguments could be made
for the striving Oromos in Ethiopia, or to our adversaries in Nigeria. The Biafran argument is general. It
is Africa's liberation from colonial slavery. For the first time, an African people can name their own
country (Nigeria comes from the derogatory, Latin word, 'Niger'), can design a country with their own
cultural signature, and not one where it drowns in the multitude of many incompatible cultures (English
is the official language of Nigeria because the indigenous languages are so dissimilar). And because this
country represents who we are as a people we have the natural desire to fight for its excellence (unlike
Nigeria where it belongs to so many groups of people that no one group cares, but yet fight for the
dignity of our individual ethnicities). For the first time, we can pick up from where our ancestors left us
before the advent of the white man's SCRAMBLE FOR AFRICA. For the first time, we can create a nation
that desires to establish the VIRILITY OF THE BLACK MAN. For the first time, we as African nations can
vie in the healthy competition of which culture will do the black race the proudest.
Biafra is THE AFRICAN REVOLUTION. Just as the French revolution liberated Western Europe from the
shackles of absolute monarchy, so also does Biafra liberate Africa from colonial imperialism. Biafra is not
just for our immediate children; it is for AFRICA'S CHILDREN. So today, I appeal to ye sons and
daughters of Biafra to fight for this DREAM. May the honor be unto us as it was unto the French, the first-
born children of liberty. This has to be our calling; history bears witness. For how can it be that Olaudah
Equiano, the famous slave abolitionist; the slaves of Igbo Landing; the Aba Women's Riot, that ended
British indirect rule; the resistance of Islamic Jihad expansion of North Africa, are all BIAFRANS. The
writing is on the wall. It is our MANIFEST DESTINY. If we fail, then we failed not only ourselves but the
ENTIRE BLACK RACE, for Nigeria the self-acclaimed giant of Africa has no such responsibility. Thank
you. God bless Biafra, God bless THE AFRICAN REVOLUTION.