By Chinonso Alozie

Owerri- The Igbo Biafra Nationalists Movement on Friday said they would focus on the actualisation of the rights of the South East region.

The convener of the pro-Biafra group, Mazi Uche Mefor, disclosed this to Vanguard, on what he intended to do.

To achieve this, he among other things said he would collaborate with genuine Igbo leaders for the pursuit of self-determination for the Igbo nation as well as apply the democratic principle of referendum or plebiscite.

According to him, “The Igbo-Biafra Nationalists Movement is at the vanguard of advocating for the inherent right of the Alaigbo, the Igbo nation (South-East) to determine their own future, based on a strong commitment to the principles of justice, democracy, and human rights. The core principle of our movement is that the Igbo nation (South-East) possesses the rightful authority to protect itself, while also advocating for a peaceful and sustainable development plan that benefits everyone. It is simply Alaigbo self-determination.

“Legitimate Self-Defence: We affirm the legitimate right of the Igbo nation to safeguard their lives, culture, and lands against any acts of aggression or harassment. The exercise of the right to lawful defence is carried out in accordance with international law, with a strong emphasis on non-violence and the utmost importance placed on protecting civilian lives.

“Self-Determination, At the heart of our movement is the pursuit of self-determination for the Igbo nation. We believe in the right of our people to freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social, and cultural development. Our commitment is to facilitate a democratic process that reflects the true will of the Igbo people, respecting their rich history and diverse perspectives.

“Rule of Law, the Igbo-Biafra Nationalists are resolute in their commitment to the rule of law. We advocate for a society in which laws are transparently made, justly applied, and equally enforced. A society in which every individual’s rights are protected by the law, regardless of their status or allegiance.”

“Religious Freedom, Our movement upholds the principle of religious freedom, advocating for an environment where all individuals can practice their faith freely and without fear of persecution. We stand against any form of religious intolerance and discrimination, promoting interfaith dialogue and understanding as essential components of a harmonious society.

“Democracy, We are committed to the principles of democracy, believing that governance should be by the consent of the governed.To this end, we shall work genuine elected representatives in the South-East region or zone who have the interest of the Igbos and the South-East to ensure justice and equity for the region.Our advocacy is for transparent, inclusive, and accountable governance structures that allow for equitable participation of all Igbo citizens in the decision-making processes that affect their lives.The Igbo-Biafra Nationalists will support, adopt and applying the democratic principle of referendum or plebiscite in deciding matters of national interest and of public interest issues,”he said.