Biafra Referendum
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| Biafra self-referendum | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Do you approve this proposed declaration of the restoration of the independent state of Biafra, to reestablish the lost sovereign nation of Biafra from Nigeria, which will be called the United States of Biafra (USB)?[1] | ||||
| Date | 1 February—28 November 2024 | |||
| Voting system | Physically and electronically[2] | |||
| ||||
The Biafra Referendum, otherwise known as the Biafra self-referendum, is an ongoing self-determination poll organized and conducted by the Biafra Republic Government in Exile to determine the declaration of the restoration of Biafra, a state in West Africa that declared independence from Nigeria and existed from 1967 until 1970.
Background
Biafra was a nation that declared independence from Nigeria in 1967 under the leadership of the then Eastern Region's military governor, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. Shortly after the declaration of independence, the Nigerian-Biafran War ensued as the Nigerian government sought to reclaim the territory of Biafra.[3]
On 23 May, Ekpa wrote to Finland's former presidents Sauli Niinistö and Tarja Halonen, urging them to support a referendum for Biafra's independence from Nigeria. He submitted over 200 documents highlighting Nigeria's political issues and reminded them of an ongoing ECOWAS Court case initiated by various ethnic groups, including the Coalition of Northern Groups, advocating for a peaceful Biafra exit through a referendum.[4][5]
In late October 2023, Biafrans hosted by separatist Simon Ekpa and his organization the Biafra Republic Government (BRGIE) convened in Helsinki, Finland to discuss the potential for a possible Biafra referendum to reclaim the lost sovereign nation. On 1 February 2024, a self-determination referendum tagged the "Biafra self-referendum" was initiated.[6][7]
Upon the conclusion of the referendum exercise, the Biafra Republic Government in Exile is expected to issue a declaration for the restoration of the independent state of Biafra on 2 December 2024, during a convention scheduled from 29 November to 3 December 2024 in Lahti, Finland. The referendum is being conducted both physically and electronically, with over 30 million voters participating as of May 2024.[2][8]
The referendum is considered a formal response to enduring challenges such as marginalization, underdevelopment and insecurity in South East and South South geopolitical zones.[9][7][10][11][excessive citations]
Reactions
On 9 June 2024, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) stated that only their leader Nnamdi Kanu can declare a Biafra referendum. It said that any Biafra referendum will be conducted transparently and publicly, adhering to United Nations and African Charter laws, and that no such referendum was ongoing at the time.[12]
In June 2024, the Organization of Emerging African States (OEAS), a group which advises African separatists,[13] stated that the results of the referendum will be binding under international law. It expressed satisfaction with the "referendum's integrity" and acknowledged its alignment with international standards for self-determination.[14] A representative of the Centre for Democracy and Development stated that the OEAS has no authority on the matter and that a referendum would need recognition from the United Nations or major sovereign states.[15]
In response to the planned "declaration of the restoration of the independent state of Biafra" on 2 December 2024, the Nigerian government, through the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), stated that it is engaging with the European Union to extradite Simon Ekpa from Finland. Meanwhile, the BRGIE says it is inviting the Nigerian government to the Biafra convention scheduled for the declaration of independence.[16][17]
Timeline
1 February
The BRGIE announced the commencement of the referendum and revealed the structure of the proposed 40 "United States of Biafra."[9]
10 February
Ekpa said that over 2 million votes have already been recorded in the self-referendum within the last ten days.[18]
31 May
The BRGIE says, "Over 30 million Biafrans have participated in the self-referendum, indicating strong support for secession from Nigeria." Simon Ekpa, the Prime Minister of BRGIE, stated that this turnout surpassed that of Nigeria's 2023 presidential election.[19]
20 August
The BRGIE unveiled the map of the proposed 40 "United States of Biafra" and set 2 December 2024 as the date for its official presentation and declaration.[20][9]
Notes
The American National Security Journal reported in August 2024 regarding the referendum exercise as follows: "Biafrans, however, are not going to subordinate their faith to support State Department pandering, nor are the Igbo willing to pretend that they feel safe and secure in Nigeria. Between February and May 2024, the BRGIE held a referendum to allow Biafrans and their diaspora to declare if they wished to remain part of Nigeria or become an independent country. Thirty million voted, a greater number than those who cast ballots in Nigeria’s most recent presidential elections. Those who cast physical ballots on the Biafra referendum registered in advance and showed voting cards, while those who cast their vote electronically used Google forms to ensure they only voted once. The results are consistent with public opinion surveying."[2]
See also
- 2014 Venetian independence referendum
- 2014 Scottish independence referendum
- 2020 Puerto Rican status referendum
- Insurgency in Southeastern Nigeria
References
- ↑ "Simon Ekpa asks Nigerian Govt to accept Result of Biafra Self-referendum - Peoples Daily Newspaper".
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Rubin, Michael (2024-08-20). "The Next Administration Must Keep an Eye on Nigeria". National Security Journal. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
- ↑ Hurst, Ryan (2009-06-21). "Republic of Biafra (1967-1970) •". Retrieved 2024-08-25.
- ↑ Ariemu, Ogaga (2023-05-12). "Biafra Referendum: Ekpa writes Finland President, Niinistö, ex-leader Halonen". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
- ↑ "Court strikes out suit to compel Igbo from Nigeria". The Guardian Nigeria. 2024-03-13. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
- ↑ "Biafra: BRGIE begins self-referendum voting for all Igbos, reveals details". Daily Post Nigeria. 2024-02-01. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Ariemu, Ogaga (2023-10-19). "Simon Ekpa hosts three-day extraordinary conference on Biafra Referendum". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
- ↑ "Keep an Eye on the Biafran Self-Referendum". ORB International. 2024-06-07. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Biafra's 40 States Structure Emerges As BRGIE Begins Global Self-Referendum E-voting". thesouthernexaminer.com. Retrieved 2024-08-20. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name ":1" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ "Self-Referendum: Ekpa Fingers Marginalisation, Underdevelopment, Insecurity, Poverty In S'East – Independent Newspaper Nigeria". 2024-08-27. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
- ↑ "Extradition: Ekpa dares DHQ, invites Nigerian officials to Biafra convention in Finland". The Guardian Nigeria. 2024-08-29. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ↑ Opejobi, Seun (9 June 2024). "Simon Ekpa: Only Nnamdi Kanu can declare Biafra referendum - IPOB". Daily Post. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ↑ "African Conflict Zones in Need of Cease-Fires for Coronavirus Aid". Voice of America. 1 April 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
- ↑ Ariemu, Ogaga (2024-06-28). "Biafra referendum binding statement under Int'l law - OEAS". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
- ↑ Iruke, Chioma (14 July 2024). "FACT CHECK: Ekpa's false claims of foreign backing debunked". Blueprint. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ↑ David, Tarkaa (2024-08-28). "Biafra: Federal Gov't Engaging EU To Extradite Simon Ekpa – DHQ". Leadership News. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
- ↑ "Lets discuss at EU, pro-Biafran group tells FG". Vanguard News. 27 August 2024.
- ↑ "'We're ready to go' as over 2m Biafrans vote for self-referendum in few days - Ekpa". Daily Post Nigeria. 2024-02-10. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ↑ Ariemu, Ogaga (2024-05-31). "Biafra: BRGIE claims 30m voted 'during self-referendum'". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ↑ "We'll unveil biafran map soon – Group". Vanguard News. 20 August 2024.
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