Joe Igbokwe, a Nigerian politician, has urged members of the diaspora from the South-East who contributed funds to the Biafra agitation to visit their families’ graves at home. Writing on Facebook, Igbokwe described the movement as “senseless” and highlighted the human cost suffered by communities during the campaign.
“Our brothers and sisters in the diaspora contributed billions of dollars over 15 years,” he said. “They should visit home to see the graves of their family. Our people saw hail, but nobody is talking about it.”
Igbokwe emphasized that while supporters overseas may have believed their contributions were for a noble cause, the reality on the ground was far harsher. Many families lost loved ones, and communities endured hardship as a result of the agitation.
The call serves as a reminder that financial support for political or separatist movements can have direct consequences on local communities. Igbokwe stressed that those who contributed should recognize the impact of their involvement by paying respects to deceased relatives and reflecting on the suffering experienced by those who lived through the unrest.
He also noted that despite the widespread consequences of the agitation, little public discussion has addressed the human toll. Visiting the graves of family members, according to Igbokwe, could help diaspora members understand the gravity of the situation and reconnect with their roots.