Evang Elliot Ugochukwu-Uko, the Deputy Secretary of Igbo Leaders of
Thought, ILT, has said no amount of oppression can stop the agitation
for Biafra.
Ugochukwu-Uko maintained that the agitation will continue despite
Nigeria’s government declaring South-East youths as terrorists and other
ensuing propaganda.
This declaration was contained in a statement signed by
Ugochukwu-Uko, who is also the secretary of Eastern Consultative
Assembly (ECA).
The statement read: “The ongoing narrative that the south east has
been forcefully and violently pacified, is patently false. The
celebrations in the villa, that certain elders has helped them quench
the restructuring gale blowing through the land up till a few months ago
is fiction.
“Yes, a military invasion was carried out in second week of September
at Afaraukwu, a huge propaganda onslaught was unleashed to force down a
particular narrative. Yes agitators were declared terrorists. Yes
agitators were also proscribed. Yes people in certain quarters clinked
champagne glasses and congratulated themselves and mocked the angry
youths, that their agents amongst our people has helped them, as usual,
put down the agitations.
“But nothing could be further from the truth. No matter the
conspiracies in high quarters, no matter the complicity of the so called
leaders to paralyzed the demand for restructuring, and by extension,
ensure the sustenance of the unjust status quo, truth is, resources
deployed to save the status quo by attempting to crush the agitation to
restructure Nigeria, is a wasted effort.
“Branding oppressed frustrated youths terrorists and proscribing them
without addressing the real cause of their anger, which is the wicked
structure of unitary Nigeria and the evil 1999 military constitution, is
treating the symptoms of a disease without addressing the virus
responsible for the disease. 99% of the youths of eastern region are
angry with Nigeria. Proscribing them or branding them terrorist will
never solve the problem. Voting tons of money to block them and drive
government narrative in the media is unhelpful.
“Fake measures can only offer temporary relief and help officials who
packaged the proposal to crush the boys, smile to the bank. All through
history, all over the world, such fake measures has never truly
restored peace. It can only drive the angry agitators underground.
“We are hereby giving notice, that the agitation is not dead, the
agitators have not been raptured to heaven, they are bitter, angry, and
their next move unpredictable. Those deliberately delaying the
restructuring of Nigeria are merely sowing the wind. We all will reap
the whirlwind sooner or later.
“This message is to the Presidency. The continued delay to
restructure Nigeria will throw up consequences. The impression that the
agitation secession has been crushed is false. Only an early engagement
of the angry youths in a dialogue and the restructuring of Nigeria can
guarantee peace.”