The detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has outlined the construction of a functional international airport, seaport, and robust road network in the South East as non-negotiable conditions for lasting reconciliation in Nigeria.
Speaking through his younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, during a visit in DSS detention, Kanu emphasized the significance of these infrastructures to bring the long-abandoned region in line with other parts of the country. He insisted that his stand on the Nigeria project remained unchanged.
Kanu expressed openness to genuine restructuring but insisted that Nigeria should undergo total restructuring based on the 1963 Constitution for it to be considered sincere. He attributed the current chaos in the Southeast to the disruption of his scheduled meeting with Igbo Leaders in 2017, highlighting the missed opportunity to address Biafra-related issues.
He reiterated the demand for a referendum, stressing that it remains the goal unless those opposing the country’s comprehensive restructuring repent. Kanu pointed out the historical mistreatment of the region since 1966, including pogroms, the civil war, and deliberate disempowerment, leading to the present demand for a fair and just constitution.
The specific infrastructure demands include a functional commercial seaport, railways, international airport with a cargo wing, dry port (container terminal), enhanced electricity generation, export free zone, and East/West railway and road network. Kanu underscored the commitment to these demands and the rejection of the 1999 unitary constitution.
He acknowledged past efforts advocating for constitutional reform, citing marches in the UK during the 1990s. Kanu urged the government to embrace peaceful restructuring, emphasizing the need to expedite the construction of critical infrastructure in the Southeast.
In conclusion, Kanu reasserted the region’s desire for justice, equity, and fairness, standing firm on the demand for a consensual and comprehensive restructuring based on the 1963 constitution.
