The Biafra Nations Youth League (BNYL) has expressed lack of confidence in any referendum that would be organised by the Federal Government of Nigeria towards the actualisation of Biafra, as such exercise would be manipulated to favour the government.

BNYL Leader, Princewill Obuka, who made the declaration, also stated that asking the government for a referendum is a waste of time as the government is controlled by the North.

“How on earth do we expect a nation that spent almost all her resources to engage us in three years war give us referendum on a platter of gold? BNYL do not see the possibility of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government allowing a referendum,” Obuka said.

The Pro Biafra agitators also expressed doubt that the Senate and House of Representatives will vote for referendum to be conducted.

The separatists group also wondered how a government controlled court would like to go against the constitution of the Federal Government.

The BNYL leader recalled the case of Bakassi Peninsula, where a Federal High Court Abuja judgement stopping the government from ceding the peninsula pending resettlement of natives was ignored.

He also advised his fellow agitators not to compare Biafra's case to that of Catalonia, stating that Catalonia is a region with a separatist government for which it was easy for the region to conduct referendum and peaceful protests.

Obuka recalled: “In 1967 we had a regional government that was in control of our armed forces, but today, we have been divided into states, and we are now at the stage of agitations, protests, etc. We need to look beyond referendum from the Federal Government.

“I think those who are supposed to conduct referendum for us are the states to ascertain if we really have the support of the masses, but they are all afraid, and since they have proved incapable of doing that for us, we have to strategise and look beyond the demands for referendum.

“Asking UN to pressurise them would have been better, but the question is the level of diplomatic relations we have with the UN because we have to make friends with countries in the UN, sign agreement if possible because it is all about interest.”

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