- Introduction
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is a secessionist political organization that has since 1967 sought to break out from Nigeria. This organization is not “Indigenous” in the context of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) discourse. However, the analogies of UNDRIP and the Tsilhqot’in Nation can be used to help the IPOB causes. The pioneer of the IPOB was Lt. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, who severally fought for the Independence of the states under the organization. The following states under the IPOB were Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Rivers – the Easterners. This organization was as a result of the oppression and political marginalization of the Eastern part of Nigeria by the colonial masters and the long-lasted domineering power of the Northerners. It is important to note that Nigeria was part of the countries that voted against the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.