A chieftain of the All
Progressives Congress, APC, Akwa Ibom State, Elder Enefiok Ekefre has alleged
that the Igbos abandoned former Biafra Vice President, General Philip Effiong
who eventually died a rebel.
Speaking with Vanguard in Uyo,
Ekefre blamed the Igbos for abandoning Gen. Effiong, who was second in command
to the late Odumegwu Ojukwu of the defunct Republic of Biafra.
Effiong died in 2003 without
Federal Government’s recognition as was accorded Ojukwu.
He regretted that “the Igbos are
expecting support forgetting that they all looked the other way and allowed
Gen. Effiong who made the historic declaration that ended the bloody civil war
to live and die a Biafra rebel while Ojukwu died a Nigerian Army General.
“Gen. Philip Effiong, an Ibiono
Ibom man, was the Vice President to Ojukwu. Mr. M. U. Akpan, the Secretary to
the Government of Biafra (SGB) was also from Ibiono.
“Gen. Effiong signed the
instrument of surrender but when the Igbo were talking of payment of gratuity
and pension, they only presented Gen. Ojukwu and refused to mention Gen.
Effiong.
“He lived and died a Biafran
military officer but Ojukwu’s rank was restored with salaries and gratuity paid
from 1966. Today, the Igbo are complaining of marginalization and oppression,
forgetting that justice and injustice should not be selective.”
He appealed to the Federal
Government to make adequate compensation for the family of the late Gen.
Effiong, noting that in the spirit of true reconciliation and justice, what was
done to Ojukwu should be done to Gen. Effiong.
Did any calabar or ibom man stood and supported him during his lifetime? The Igbo's stood behind Ojukwu during and after his death. If Gen Effiong name was not compiled by the Igbo's what stopped people from the old south eastern state whose capital was calabar from compiling his name. I am sure if the people stood behind Gen Effiong the way the Igbo's rallied behind Ojukwu he wouldn't have been ignored. Now the Biafrans are shouting and want to use you again. Come out and declare your stand against rebellion.
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