Release Nnamdi Kanu and Organise a Referendum for Igbos, IPOB Tells Tinubu
In response to the provocative “IgboMustGo” planned protest proposed to commence from August 20-30, 2024, in Lagos, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have stated that the Igbos are ready to leave Yoruba land and Nigeria via a referendum.
In a statement by IPOB Director of Media and Publicity, Emma Powerful, the separatist group said that it would not succumb to any threats from any group or persons to leave any state or region in Nigeria.
Recall that Neusroom reported that Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu condemned the call for Igbo people to vacate Lagos and the Southwest in its entirety.
However, the group, without providing evidence, claimed that the call for Igbos to leave the state was made by high-profile persons in the Lagos State Government.
“It is laughable that the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was reported to have hypnotically condemned the proponents of the ‘Igbo Must Go’ protest, the statement reads in part.
“The Governor will not hoodwink Ndigbo with his hypocritical condemnation of those calling for Igbos’ expulsion from the Southwest Region of Nigeria. The governor was the first to ethnically profile Ndigbo with his biased demolition of Ndigbo’s businesses, properties, and investments in Lagos State. There is a high chance that the proponents of the ‘IgboMustGo’ are sponsored by high-profile persons in the Lagos State Government and the Federal Government,” the statement reads.
IPOB Seeks Peaceful Exist From Nigeria
IPOB declared that Ndigbo are undeterred and ready for any opportunity to exit Nigeria.
“We have seen it all in Nigeria and are prepared for any opportunity to exit Nigeria at any time. But it will be more appropriate for us to be allowed to exit Nigeria peacefully and democratically in order to maintain good neighborly relationships. However, if Ndigbo is forced to exit Nigeria violently, there’s a possibility that we shall remain hostile neighbors for the foreseeable future.”
The group reiterated that threats and violence will not move them.
“The Yoruba tribal bigots and their sponsors must understand that Ndigbo is not moved by threats. We have made up our minds to exit Nigeria, so there is no basis for the threat of violence or genocide agenda tagged ‘IgboMustGo’ protest. Instead of threatening to unconstitutionally and violently force Ndigbo out of the Yoruba region, they should tell President Tinubu, their brother, to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and to organize a referendum for Ndigbo to decide between Biafra and Nigeria. We will gladly vote and leave Nigeria and the Yoruba region in peace. We are demanding this so they can have peace after we are gone.”
IPOB also pointed out the ongoing “EndBadGovernance” protest in Nigeria, which they claim was organized by Yoruba and Fulani to lure Ndigbo into destruction.
“Ndigbo has learned their lessons. Though Ndigbo declined to participate in the ongoing protests, yet they are being attacked and accused of being behind the protest. One can imagine what would have become of Ndigbo in the Northern and Western Regions if they had taken part in the ongoing protest. Ndigbo has always been a victim of every protest in Nigeria.”
Despite facing the same economic hardships imposed by Tinubu’s government, Ndigbo decided to shun the protest to avoid being targeted.
“The scenario that led to the genocidal war against Biafrans in 1967-1970 is rearing its ugly head. Ndigbo is not only facing existential threats from the Western region but also from the Northern regions. We are calling Ndigbo in the North and West to think home as fast as possible. No amount of threat will make IPOB retreat from our divine mandate of restoring Biafra.”
The group called on the international community to pay attention to the existential threat against Ndigbo in Nigeria.
“The Human Rights Organizations, United Nations (UN), European Union (EU), African Union (AU), and all lovers of freedom should understand that Biafrans are endangered species in the contraption called Nigeria. The ethnic profiling and hatred against Ndigbo are glaring in the areas of security, politics, and economics in Nigeria.”
IPOB warned that silencing the quest for a Biafra referendum is indirectly supporting genocide against Ndigbo and Biafrans.
“Just like our forebears and our heroes defended the Biafra people and land, the present generation of Biafrans have decided to remove our territory from Nigeria and defend the genocidal war spearheaded by Britain in 1967. This generation of Biafrans is determined to defend ourselves from those who want to annihilate us.”
