Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mr Nnamdi Kanu, has described what he called the continued treatment of easterners like slaves by the Federal Government as “horrendous injustice,” saying that “we have since gotten to a point where we can no longer tolerate the position of eternal slavery,” in the country.
Kanu made this known in a letter of commendation to the Eastern Consultative Assembly, ECA, for appointing him leader of the Assembly in Enugu Tuesday.
The ECA had announced a new leadership structure with detained the IPOB leader as its head. Kanu in his letter written from Kuje Prisons accepted to play the new role and pledged not to let the people down.
However, the ECA also named Mrs Marie Okwo as its deputy leader and Matron while Evangelist Elliot Ugochukwu- Uko was made the secretary with Rev Fr. John Odey as the Publicity Secretary; Dede Uzor A Uzor – Assistant Publicity Secretary just as the former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, erudite Professor Ben Nwabueze, SAN, and the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, Dr Anthony Obinna, became the patrons.
Kanu’s letter of acceptance/appreciation read, “With the greatest humility, I accept this clear demonstration of confidence you have reposed in me and wish to thank the entire membership and leadership of ECA for their doggedness in building a wonderful coalition dedicated to the defence of truth at a time when most are too terrified to stand up and be counted.
“I am honoured by this election; I hope all the affiliate groups in this coalition will soon join hands with us in our peaceful and non -violent pursuit of a referendum that will allow the people decide their future. “The horrendous injustice visited on us daily by our oppressors have since gotten to a point where we can no longer tolerate the position of eternal slavery, which they carefully crafted for us and have ruthlessly executed over the years. Our children today and generations to come do not have a future.
“Our youths are despondent, our once truthful and outspoken elders frightened and silenced, our politicians compromised, our leaders bought over. Our present status as race and a people is one of utter hopelessness and servitude.
“Our only hope for the future lies in a peaceful plebiscite that will settle once and for all time the burning issues that confront us today. I commend the ECA and strongly believe that I will not let you down. Once again, I say thank you for this great honour.” However, in a communique issued after the meeting, the ECA stated that false and bogus census figures which give the north superior majority over the south was one of the major reasons for agitations for the revalidation of the Biafran republic. The communique which was jointly signed by Mrs Marie Okwo and Rev Fr John Odey attacked two northern leaders, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai and Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu over their recent comments on restructuring and Biafran agitation. The communique read in part, “The 6th plenary session of the ECA held today at the residence of Chief (Mrs.) Maria Okwor in Independence Layout Enugu.