A socio-cultural group in Akwa Ibom State, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio have distanced the Ibibio ethnic group from the proposed Republic of Biafra.
The group lamented that the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) had included ethnic groups in the South South region in Biafra without consultation, describing it as senseless.
According to the group in a statement signed by the groups President, Monday Etokakpan, and Secretary General, James Edet, said that if Nigeria were to break up, they would be in the proposed “Atlantic Republic”, not Biafra.
“…at home and in league with our kin and kindred in the proposed Atlantic Republic consisting of present States of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers,” the statement said.
“Our Capital City shall be Port Harcourt, our Currency and Language shall both be Lanti.”
The group said that Akwa Ibom, for now, prefers to stay within the Nigeria federation.
“If the Igbos will be honestly desirous, sincerely determined and eventually successful in breaking away from Nigeria, we the Ibibio people in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States will be totally indifferent and will only be here to bid them fare-well.
“As a distinct and independent-minded people of over seven million in population we will continue to weigh our options in the Nigerian chase board and make the right moves the way we want it, in the direction we want, at the time we want and will partner with whomever we want to, if we must partner with anyone, to serve our best interest.”
They also called on the Federal Government to look into agitations by IPOB as well as the quit notice given to Igbos in the North.