
The Rebranded Indigenous People of Biafra, TRIPOB, a splinter group from the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, led by Nnamdi Kanu, has said that it will publicly denounce Biafra Republic and burn the Biafran Flag on Nigeria’s Independence Day, October 1.
The group said henceforth, the term’Biafra’ would only be used to signify “a powerful metaphor for change, development and greatness of the Igbos inside a united Nigeria”.
A statement released by one Chima ‘Phillip Effiong’ Osuji, on behalf of TRIBOB said that the decision was reached after a meeting of the “disaffected” members of IPOB in Aba, Abia State.
Osuji said the group decided to break away “due to the rigid and fatalistic position of the Nnamdi Kanu led IPOB.”
The statement read further: “TRIPOB now sees the Biafra question from a different perspective. Biafra will now become to us a powerful metaphor for change, development and greatness of the Igbos inside a united Nigeria, where the South East axis will be a utopia from the sheer determination borne out of the Biafra metaphor.
“We believe in being a part of a united Nigeria, and a new way of thinking, where the victim mentality will no longer be acceptable.”
TRIBOB said it has “accepted the fact that the Biafra Republic is not a reality but an anachronism, and doubt that the South-South region will become a part of a Biafra Republic, except by force; after a declaration of another civil war.
“That the lessons and history of the civil war will only reinforce the belief in ourselves to reach the zenith in this great country, Nigeria, where opportunities abound for everyone regardless of tribe or religion, and even where such narrow sentiments exist, we will not see ourselves as victims. Never!
“In view of this new mindset, members of the TRIPOB and any new defectors will on October 1, 2016make a public denunciation of a secessionist Biafra Republic at the Eagle Square, Abuja.
“The event will also include recitation of the Pledge to Nigeria our Country, singing of the National anthem, followed by a solemn burning of the Biafra flag and unveiling a new Biafra flag representing pride, change, potential and spirit of the Igbo race which can thrive anywhere in the world,” the statement concluded.