Vanguard News reported on Saturday, August 17, 2024, that in the midst of Nigeria’s crisis, AVID calls for a return to regional autonomy from 1960–1963. In an effort to avert the probable collapse of the nation, the American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) have encouraged the Nigerian Federal Government to restore the regional autonomy framework of 1960–1963. The AVID President and Secretary, Dr. Sylvester Onyia and Dr. Godson Obiagwu, have released a statement that includes this call.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
The group, consisting of U.S. military veterans of Igbo descent, expressed approval for the recent establishment of the South East Development Commission. However, they emphasize that Nigeria requires immediate restructuring to avert a total breakdown. “The United States Military Veterans of Igbo Descent believes that a return of Nigeria to 1960/63 regional autonomy is the only way to mitigate Nigeria’s socio-economic and security problems,” the statement asserted.
In addition to their restructuring appeal, AVID reiterated its call for the immediate and unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The veterans argue that the growing demand for restructuring validates Kanu’s earlier warnings about Nigeria’s trajectory. They noted that many of Kanu’s predictions regarding Nigeria’s issues are nearing fulfillment.
The statement also recalled that Kanu had previously agreed to consider a return to the 1960/1963 constitution as a condition for reassessing his push for Biafra’s restoration. This agreement was made during a meeting with South East Governors before his residence was raided in 2017.
AVID advised the Presidency to urgently explore a return to the 1960/1963 constitution to help steer Nigeria out of its current challenges. The group also urged the Federal Government to address other demands made by Kanu during his discussions with South East leaders, believing that meeting these demands could help rebuild the South East’s confidence in the nation.
The statement, provided to Vanguard, included a historical note: “In 2017, shortly after the leader of the Biafra indigenous people was freed from illegal detention, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the late Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Evangelist Elliot U. Uko, and the South-East governors met in Enugu state to discuss the demands of the Biafran people. On August 30, 2017, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu made these demands before the South-East governors, who were chaired by Engr. Dave Umahi.”CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
