Ibom Republic: Akwa Ibom coalition storms UN to demand split from Nigeria

An Akwa Ibom coalition group has stormed the United Nations to demand that the state breaks away from Nigeria, forming its own republic.

The group alleged that the Nigerian state had not treated its indigenes fairly and it, therefore, wanted its own republic.

A member of the coalition, Offiong Offiong, in a video made at the UN headquarters after submitting its documents, said the group would follow up on their request to ensure that the UN granted its request.

He said,

“I am here today to present the communiqué that was issued after our meeting on June 5, 2021. Unfortunately, because of the back and forth of the lockdown and reopening of the UN secretariat, where the commission is based, we only ended up leaving our documents with the officers.

“But we are happy today that we were able to come. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 restrictions had not allowed us to present the documents to all the offices.

“We are asking for Ibom Republic. The Ibom Republic will be an attempt for us to demonstrate our emancipation as an indigenous group from the Nigerian state. We want a referendum and we want a decision made. We want our people to go on their own based on the way they have been treated by the Nigerian state.

“It is an exciting day for the Ibom Republic. Those documents have been submitted and we will continue to follow up.”