The agitation for the recognition for an independent Biafra state
took a disappointing dip as the United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK)
revealed that they do not accept the Biafran passport because the supposed
independent country is not recognised.
The Movement for the Actualisation of a Sovereign State Of Biafra
(MASSSOB) had insisted a fortnight ago that the Biafran passport was valid all
over the world except Nigeria and urged its supposed citizens to use it to
secure visa for international travel.
MASSOB through Sunny Okereafor, the national director of
information explained that the travel document costs N5,000 while its renewal
costs N2,000.
“I assure you that the Biafran passport is valid.
Except Nigeria, other countries of the world accept Biafran passport and allow
our citizens to travel with it. In Europe, North and South America, Biafran
passport is accepted. Nigeria is the only country that seizes Biafran passport.
Go to neighbouring Ghana here, they will stamp the passport for you. Don’t be
confused by the propaganda of the Nigerian government that there is nothing
like Biafra passport.
“MASSOB appeals to Biafran citizens to procure their passport and
use it to travel. If you doubt me, get a Nigerian passport while I have my
Biafran passport; when we get to Europe, you will see who they will welcome
than the other. Many people with the Nigerian passport have been repatriated,
but have you heard of anybody with Biafran passport receiving such
ill-treatment?”
The Punch however reports that an inquiry into the claim made by
MASSOB at the American consulate in Lagos revealed that the Biafran passport
was not recognized.
Frank Sellin, the deputy public affairs officer at the consulate
said “the United States does not consider passports purporting to be
from a Biafra entity to be a valid legal document for purposes of visa
issuance.”
Mr. Joe Abuku who is the press and public affairs officer at the
British high commission in Abuja said the UK does not recognize the Biafran
passport and as the country did not support the secession during the civil war
and thus its stance has not changed.
“The answer is unequivocally ‘no’. The UK does not recognise the
so-called Biafran passport
“The position of the UK Government during the Biafran War is a
matter of historical record. The UK Government’s position, which reflected the
Charter of the Organisation of African Unity, was to recognise the borders laid
down at independence.
“The Biafran War caused great suffering and the UK supported the
reconciliation work that followed the conflict. The UK supports the territorial
integrity of Nigeria and the Nigerian Government’s commitment to work for a
secure and prosperous Nigeria for all Nigerians.”
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