The Acting Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE), Ogechukwu Nkere, has provided historic congressional testimony to the U.S. Congressional Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. Nkere, who testified in his personal capacity as a "Biafran-American Political and Human Rights Activist," called for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and Simon Ekpa, highlighting Nigeria's human rights abuses towards Biafrans ¹.
Key Points from the Testimony
- *Release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu*: Nkere urged the U.S. government to impose visa bans on Nigerian officials and cut off bilateral assistance if Nigeria fails to release Kanu and provide him safe passage out of the country.
- *Release of Simon Ekpa*: Nkere also recommended sanctions and tariffs on Finland if it continues the politically motivated trial of Ekpa.
- *Human Rights Abuses*: The testimony detailed Nigeria's human rights abuses towards Biafrans, describing Kanu's detention and Ekpa's trial as examples of "trans-national repression".
- *Accusations against Nigeria*: Nigeria was accused of "kidnapping" Kanu from Kenya and instigating a politically motivated trial against Ekpa in Finland ² ¹ ³.
Implications of the Testimony
This testimony marks the first time the Biafra issue has been raised in U.S. Congressional testimony in modern history. The Tom Lantos Human Rights Committee, co-chaired by Congressman Chris Smith and Congressman Jim McGovern, will likely consider Nkere's recommendations when addressing human rights issues in Nigeria ¹.
Reaction to the Testimony
While there has been no official reaction from the Nigerian government, the testimony has sparked discussions about Nigeria's human rights record and the Biafra issue. Southeast residents have been calling for Nnamdi Kanu's release, believing it would bring peace and security to the region ⁴.
Conclusion
The testimony by the BRGIE Acting Prime Minister highlights the ongoing human rights concerns in Nigeria, particularly regarding the Biafra issue. The U.S. Congress will likely take these concerns into consideration when engaging with Nigeria on human rights matters.
