Things you should know about the new Biafra split group TRIPOB

 
Dr Dozie Ikedife founder of Billie human rights group is suspected to be behind the new split group

At a meeting convened on Monday, August 22, a group of people formerly under the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), decided to break away to form a new group that will better serve their purposes. They called this new group The Rebranded Indigenous People of Biafra (TRIPOB). Ikedife. The news of the split has led to accusations and counter-accusations within the ranks of the IPOB. The IPOB, head of media and publicity, Emma Powerful, released a statement that the organisation under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, had not changed and the loyalty of members was not in doubt. Here are five facts you need to know about this new group, the TRIPOB:

 1. The spokesperson of the new group is Chima Philip Effiong Osuji Chima Philip Effiong Osuji who is the spokesman of the new group, TRIPOB, said on Monday: “It was resolved that due to the rigid and fatalistic position of the Nnamdi Kanu- led IPOB, several of us with like minds shall breakaway.” Chima Philip Effiong Osuji is very likely related to or was named after Philip Effiong who was the first Vice President and the second President of the now defunct Republic of Biafra during the Nigerian Civil War of 1967 to 1970. Effiong was Chief of General Staff of Biafra under Head of State, Odumegwu Ojukwu during the Nigeria-Biafra war and he assumed leadership on 8 January 1970 and on 12 January, 1970 he announced surrender. He died in November 2003.



2. The new group believes Biafra as a nation will not be a reality Part of the statement made by the new group was: “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.” They do not believe in having a separate nation from Nigeria, and they have decided to show this by burning the Biafran flag on October, 1, 2016, at the Eagle Square Abuja, recite the national anthem and pledge to Nigeria, while the spirit and intent of Biafra will be pursued inside a unified Nigerian nation.

 3. They will unveil a new Biafra flag on October 1, 2016 The statement released also says: “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 new Biafran flag according to the new group will show that the spirit of Biafra is more important than secession and a physical nation.

 4. Dr Dozie Ikedife is suspected to be behind TRIPOB While calling to question the legitimacy of the new group, the Head of Media and Publicity of IPOB, Emma Powerful mentioned Dr Dozie Ikedife as one of those behind the division. He said Ikedife had seen that “a lot of progress has been made in the Biafra struggle” and therefore wants to hijack the leadership of IPOB, adding that Ikedife and others like him have failed in their mischievous mission. Dozie Ikedife is the former President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo and popularly known as the Ikenga of Nnewi. In May 2015, he led notable Igbo leaders, including retired army generals, to Buhari to pledge the support of Igbo people to him. A move that earned him many enemies among the Igbo people.

 5. The reasons behind the split The new group, TRIPOB, spokesman gave several reasons behind the split. The reasons they gave, were included in this statement: “We have 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 every one regardless of tribe or religion, and even where such narrow sentiments exist, we will not see ourselves as victims.” As the IPOB has declared the group illegitimate, October 1 is the set date to see if the new group, TRIPOB will make good on its decisions.