Why we declared Biafra, held Nigeria for three years without rebellion – Igbo leader   

Elder statesman, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has revealed how Igbo were able to fight Nigeria to a standstill for three years without rebellion.

He said the declaration of Biafra was a collective decision of the Igbo people.

According to him, the late Eze Ndigbo, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu carried Igbo leaders along and never sidelined them like Nnamdi Kanu of IPOB is doing now.

He said the agitation of Igbo people was that Nigeria should be restructured.

Iwuanyanwu said, “Ojukwu did not ignore elders and he never declared Biafra on his own. It was the people from all walks of life – the academia, businessmen, civil and public servants that called upon him to declare the state of Biafra and become its leader.

“That was why Ojukwu was able to hold Nigeria for three years without rebellion. Most of us who fought the war were intelligent, but we had to join and fight the war. We’re very proud that we fought that war.

“All we’re asking for in Nigeria is to restructure Nigeria, which Gowon agreed but his people rebuked him. Gowon also tried his best to fulfill most of the things that were agreed before the end of the war,” he said.