3 months ago
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The Indigenous People of Biafra on Monday issued a warning to Igbo politicians and leaders to stop using the name of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, for personal political gains.
The pro-Biafran group emphasised that Kanu is not detained because of Nigerian politics but is in custody due to his efforts for Biafran freedom and the restoration of the Biafran nation.
IPOB said it has observed that the unjust persecution and illegal incarceration of Kanu is being used as a tool to advance political ambitions by some Igbo politicians.
In a press statement issued by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, IPOB claimed that some Igbo leaders are afraid of Kanu’s release from detention.
The group further alleged that these leaders are secretly collaborating with the Federal Government to keep Kanu in DSS solitary confinement for their selfish political reasons
It read in part, “Some of these Abuja sycophants take glory in IPOB matters to resuscitate their dwindling political influence in the South-East. We are watching them closely. We are advising them to stop taking the glory of IPOB’s successes or be called out publicly.
“However, we commend those patriotic and sincere Igbo politicians and leaders who are genuinely working for the release of Nnamdi Kanu. We encourage them never to give up. We are taking stock of everyone’s work for or against IPOB among the Igbo leaders and politicians. In due time, everyone will receive their reward, whether it be good or bad.
“We want the Federal Government and her political jobbers from the South-East to understand that as long as Kanu is illegally detained, the Nigerian economy and security will continue to be in shambles. Those using the suffering and incarceration of Kanu and IPOB members to advance their political interests will be disappointed and will watch how IPOB will scuttle the political ambitions of those from the East.”
IPOB asserted its control over the South-East and commended Ndigbo for avoiding the #EndBadGovernance protest, warning that participation could have provoked violence against Igbo communities by the Federal Government.
The group emphasised its dedication to the safety of Ndigbo and the pursuit of Biafra’s freedom.
“They should understand that IPOB is in control of the South-East. IPOB commends Ndigbo for adhering to the instructions of IPOB’s leadership not to participate in the #EndBadGovernance protest in Nigeria. Though Ndigbo are highly marginalised and ostracised politically and economically, we have built survival resilience through decades of persecution in Nigeria.
“If Ndigbo had taken part in the protest, the ethnic bigoted Federal Government would have sent troops to destroy Igbo land and kill many Igbo civilians. IPOB has the interest and safety of our people at heart even as we continue to strategise on Biafra’s freedom,” it further read.
The group further advised Ndigbo to jettison the idea of some people using the name of Kanu in advance of their selfish political interests.
“Some of the social media talks about visiting Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in detention and working for his release are just political rhetoric. IPOB has nothing to do with many of them until Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is out of the illegal abductions and detention from DSS headquarters in Abuja.
“To those using the suffering of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to advance their political interests should desist; otherwise, IPOB will call you out publicly and also frustrate your political interests in the South-East. Ndigbo should know that as long as Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is still in illegal detention, Ndigbo will remain politically irrelevant in Nigeria,” the statement concluded.
PUNCH Online reported that Kanu has spent no fewer than 1,142 days in Department of State Services detention.
Kanu, who was arrested on June 27, 2021, in Kenya and subsequently extradited to Nigeria, is facing charges of terrorism, treasonable felony, and inciting violence through his Radio Biafra, amongst others.
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