“We Cannot Quench Biafra Agitation With Force,” Kalu Cautions Buhari, Bemoans Destruction Of Properties By MASSOB

SAN FRANCISCO, December 06, (THEWILL) – Mr. Orji Uzor Kalu, a businessman and former Abia State governor, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to engage traditional leaders and other leaders of thought from South East to mediate in discussions with those seeking self-determination for the Republic of Biafra, saying: “It is a wrong strategy hearing people saying that we will quench it by force, we cannot quench anything by force because it is their right to ask for self determination.”

Such discussions have become imperative because negotiation is an essential ingredient of democracy, Kalu said.

Speaking with journalists at the weekend on arrival from the United Kingdom at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Kalu said engagement would be the best way of resolving the lingering agitation for self-determination by members of the Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).

Though the agitators have a right in line with the United Nations Charter for Human Rights, but it must be pursued within the boundaries of the law rather than embarking on violent killing of soldiers, policemen and others, he said.

Any agitation for self-determination that promotes violence and destruction of public property is at variance with the conditions laid out by the United Nations, which prescribes the conduct of a plebiscite by people of the areas to decide where they want to belong to, he said.

He said Buhari must work at all times to pursue the continued unity of all parts of the country, by putting measures in place to address issues raised by those calling for self determination.

Kalu said: “President Buhari as a matter of fact should set out to engage traditional rulers and leaders of thoughts with security and intelligence agencies on how to resolve this potential trouble.”

He stressed that resolving the agitation for self determination needs an all inclusive strategy, not use of force, or carrying guns, adding that Government needs to engage the agitators and make them realize that it is ready to resolve whatever issues they have raised.

At least four persons have been killed and several others injured in a dozen rallies organised by Briafran state agitators in the southeast and south-south regions since President Buhari assumed office on May 29, 2015.