Okorie, who was a Presidential candidate in last year’s general election, further advised Buhari to dialogue with the members of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and other affiliate groups demanding for Biafra secession, in order to restore peace to the country.
Speaking against the backdrop of the increasing spate of violence emanating from different geopolitical zones in country, Okorie lamented that the agitation for a separate state of Biafra by MASSOB and IPOB is increasing in tempo and needs to be addressed.
He said, “The agitation for a separate state of Biafra by MASSOB, IPOB are legitimate as long as they have remained non-violent and it has been recognized by the United Nations. I am aware that the agitation has taken place in 180 countries of the world. In other words it has been internationalized. My advice to Buhari therefore is to dialogue with the groups and address the agitation.
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“The agitation did not spring up overnight. Between 1999 and now, the sufferings of the people have heightened. That is why the agitation is increasing in tempo. For this agitation to succeed, a lot of legal legwork has to be done which has already commenced.
“Also, Diplomatic legwork has to be done which is in place by IPOB observers in the United Nations. But the missing link is the Political legwork which has not begun.
“The political legwork has not started. These are factors that must come together and not without the other to lead to a Biafra state. For this to be achieved, a Referendum must be held in the area among ourselves. So, it is not an overnight affair. Buhari should instruct the security agencies not to apply force to these non-violent demonstrators.”