Maintaining "the grip around our throat is almost complete," the military governor of eastern Nigeria warned that his region is very close to secession from the Federation of Nigeria. The governor, Lt. Col. C.O. Ojukwu, spoke in soft and measured tones that rang now and then with sarcasm as he told newsmen he is pessimistic about any chances for a peaceful settlement of the Nigerian crisis. He said the federal government has rejected his suggestion for a mediation conference before four African heads of state - Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, President William Tubman of Liberia, Lt. Gen. J.A. Ankrah of Ghana and President Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt. He said such a conference was the last hope for a settlement. "If it is impossible," Col. Ojukwu said, "Then I think my worst fears will be realized. I believe it has the only chance of getting us together. If that chance is lost, then the whole business is finished, and a split is inevitable..."

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