The Eastern Region was united before the killings in the North and parts of the West, and it was economically strong. However, in politics, there is always opposition. Clement Isong, Egbert Udo Udoma, Ken Saro-Wiwa, George Tamunoiyowunam Kurubo, Okoi Arikpo, and Bassy Ukpong were all prominent non-Igbo Easterners who grew up in the East. Today, Erekosima Houses exist in Government Collage Umuahia and Government Secondary School, Owerri.
During General Aguiyi-Ironsi’s regime, three of his Service Chiefs were from the Eastern minorities. Kurubo became the first Nigerian Air Force Head, Captain Edet Wey led the Navy, and Louis Edet was Police Chief. In 1967, the creation of 12 states sowed the seeds of discord in the East leading to both Igbo and non-Igbo Easterners being brutally murdered during the 1967 Pogrom.
The political issues between Dr. Azikiwe and Prof. Eyo Ita and Dr. Michael Okpara’s political issues with the Ibibio and Annang were all resolved before the declaration of Biafra. It is on record that Gen. Emeka Ojukwu contacted the Eastern Regional Consultative Assembly before he declared Biafra. One-hundred and sixty-five of the 335 members were non-Igbo, indicating that the non-Igbos in Biafra were well recognized.
The non-Igbo Easterners in Biafra held enviable positions, including Gen. Philip Effiong, Secretary to the Government Ntiyong Akpan, High Commissioner to the UK Ignatius Kogbara, Ekukinam Bassey, Frank Opigo, Emmanuel Aguma, Samuel Cookey, and Okokon Ndem. Additionally, in the military, Lt. Col Nsudoh, Maj. Akpan Utuk, Maj. Archibong, Capts.
Willie Murray-Bruce and Ibi Brown, Victor Masi, and Clement Ebri were all non-Igbo Easterners. Adaka Boro’s grievances were not with the Igbo but with Nigeria, and he contested the 1965 elections with his closest rival, Jude Emezie, being backed by the outgoing President, Onyemanze Ejiogu.
In summary, the political issues between Eastern leaders were resolved before the declaration of Biafra. Not all Easterners were politicians, and both Igbo and non-Igbo Easterners held prominent positions in Biafra. The creation of 12 states in 1967 sowed the seeds of discord, leading to brutal murders of Easterners.
