Press Statement: THE IGBANKE RESOLUTION: IGBO NATION IS SOLIDLY BEHIND You.
Sequel to our recent visit to the town of Igbanke and or Igbo Akiri in ancient Alaiduu land today within Edo State and their desire by their desire through resolution to be re-united with their larger Igbo ethnic nationality, the Igbo National Union (INU) is hereby reiterating our position to stand and affirm with the resolution of the Igbanke people stating further that the entire Igbo nation is solidly behind them.
History records that the Igbankes are parts and parcel of the Ika speaking people of Old Mid-western State predating 16th century Bini (present day Edo and Delta States) of the Nigerian federation. Their been in the present day Edo State was done in error of either through coercion, state creation, boundary adjustment, and or circumstances beyond their control. The Igbankes were erroneously lumped together with tribes that has a culture and traditions starkly different from theirs. The Igbanke people are people with similarities of cultural and traditional affinities to other Igbo sub-groups of the Igbo nation; with slight dialectical difference. Therefore their clamour to be reunited to their Igbo Root is welcomed and long overdue.
The mistakes of the past have to be corrected for a peaceful co-existence and harmonious habitation with their Edo State neighbours. It’s in lieu of the request by the Igbankes to be included in the proposed Anioma State, that the Igbo National Union (INU) is calling on the National Assembly and the federal government under the mercurial leadership of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT), to without much delay do the needful by hearkening to the age long yearnings of Igbanke people and reunite them to their ancestoral Root.
INU will be appreciative and grateful with the government of the day if this aspirations of the Igbankes with six (6) robust dosely knitted communities and ancient Igbo kingdoms are reunited to their Igbo ethnic background. Meanwhile the Igbo National Union (INU), is using this auspicious moment to beckon to other Igbo sub-groups scattered into other states of Nigeria and with alien cultures and traditions other than theirs, to take a cue from the assertive action of the Igbanke people to seek for their liberation and unification with the larger Igbo ethnic nationality. In the main, INU is also using this medium to send a clear and strong message to the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuari II, to desist forthwith his intimidating and humiliating action’s/antics against the traditional rulers and people of Igbanke over their resolve to be reunited with the their Igbo ethnic background.
The Oba of Benin should be informed that the era of domestic colonialism of Portugal and European attempt at changing peoples heritage and draconic proclamation is no more fashionable which failed woefully. Let him be reminded of the wise saying of the Tanzanian sage, Julius Nwalimu Nyerere that “when you force a people to die; you equally force them to kill”. And that a one-time American president (J, F. Kennedy) once posited that “those who make peaceful actions impossible, will make violent reactions inevitable”. A word they say, is enough for the wise.
The Oba of Benin should not allow himself to be seen or regarded as the biblical modern Pharaoh. While we watch with keen and determined interest over what is playing out in Igbanke, it’s important to let those who still view the Igbankes as their vassals, that the Igbo nation will certainly NOT stand by and watch anything inhuman or threats targeted against the peace loving Igbanke people to be carried out. Thank you.