The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Tag: IPOB

  • Israeli Lawmaker Urges UN to Pursue Nnamdi Kanu’s Release

    Israeli Lawmaker Urges UN to Pursue Nnamdi Kanu’s Release

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    An Israeli lawmaker, Afef Abbed, has called on the United Nations to revisit its 2022 opinion on the detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, and press for the implementation of its recommendations.

    Abbed, a member of Israel’s Knesset, made the call in a letter dated September 1, 2026, addressed to the UN Secretary-General, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Chair-Rapporteur of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.

    He urged the UN to review the implementation of Opinion No. 25/2022 concerning Kanu and seek an official update from the Nigerian government on measures taken in response to the Working Group’s findings.

    The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention adopted Opinion No. 25/2022 in 2022 after examining circumstances surrounding Kanu’s arrest in Kenya and his subsequent transfer to Nigeria. The opinion is officially recorded as A/HRC/WGAD/2022/25.

    The Working Group concluded in the opinion that Kanu’s deprivation of liberty was arbitrary and called on the governments of Nigeria and Kenya to take steps to remedy his situation without delay. It recommended his release, compensation and other forms of reparation in accordance with international law.

    Abbed said the UN should continue monitoring the matter and encourage dialogue with the Nigerian government to ensure that proceedings involving Kanu comply with applicable international human rights standards and Nigeria’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

    He said the subsequent legal developments in Nigeria had not removed the need to consider the concerns raised in the Working Group’s 2022 opinion.

    Kanu was convicted by the Federal High Court in Abuja in November 2025 on seven terrorism-related counts and sentenced to life imprisonment on several of the counts, alongside additional prison terms on others.

    Abbed said Kanu’s conviction and sentence made it more important for relevant international mechanisms to examine whether the recommendations contained in the UN Working Group’s opinion had been implemented.

    He also referred to legal proceedings concerning Kanu’s detention and transfer to Nigeria, arguing that they had raised questions about his fundamental rights and due process.

    The Israeli lawmaker further expressed appreciation for what he described as the “professional and independent work” of the UN Working Group in examining Kanu’s case.

    Abbed also referenced concerns raised over Kanu’s health and alleged inadequate access to medical care, saying such allegations involving the health and fundamental rights of a detainee should receive attention from relevant international human rights mechanisms.

    His intervention comes amid continued calls from some individuals and groups for a review of Kanu’s case and his release.

  • IPOB distances self from Biafra Govt in Exile, insists Simon Ekpa not its member

    IPOB distances self from Biafra Govt in Exile, insists Simon Ekpa not its member

    Igbo separatist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has distanced itself from the recent declaration of a Biafran Government in Exile by leader of breakaway IPOB-Auto-Pilot group, Simon Ekpa, saying the government in exile does not have the blessings of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

    IPOB in a statement issued by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, on Sunday night, said it was appalled with the declaration by Ekpa who had since been expelled from the group.

    The group said the online inauguration of autopilot group called Biafra Government in Exile and their Liberation Army was the handiwork of “double agents sponsored by Nigerian government to ridicule IPOB, which has failed on arrival.”

    Powerful stated that though IPOB has consistently dissociated from the autopilot groups, “the agent provocateurs keep associating their criminal activities and actions to IPOB, Eastern Security Network (ESN) and Nnamdi Kanu, because they were sent to distract and deter our movement. But we have defeated them and will always defeat them, as well as their sponsors.”

    “We are alerting the international community, the Nigerian media and the general public to note that IPOB and Kanu are not part of these antics and games coming from Federal Government with the so-called Biafra Government in Exile and their Liberation Army.

    “At no time in this struggle has Kanu or IPOB’s leadership declared armed struggle or formed a Biafra army. What IPOB formed and inaugurated was armed vigilantes called ESN.

    “Autopilot has no business with ESN, though they have been using ESN’s name to defraud people.

    “Therefore, autopilot and its so-called Biafra Government in Exile with their Liberation Army are not part of IPOB or ESN, nor do they have any link or association with our leader Kanu.

    “We are making this public statement so that United Nations (UN) and other interested groups will take note so as not to link IPOB with autopilot and their foolishness. IPOB is wiser than they think.

    “IPOB is a peaceful and legally registered organisation in many countries of the world seeking independence from the Nigerian state.

    “On the other hand, the so-called Biafra Government in Exile is a factional member of autopilot. None of them is an IPOB member,” the statement reads.

    (Ripples)

  • IPOB warns Atiku, others not to use Nnamdi Kanu as bargaining chip for election

    IPOB warns Atiku, others not to use Nnamdi Kanu as bargaining chip for election

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has warned the presidential candidates seeking to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in May 2023 to desist from using its detained leader Nnamdi Kanu to campaign ahead of next month’s election.

    IPOB gave the warning on Wednesday in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, while reacting to the promise made by the presidential candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar to grant the unconditional release of Kanu, if elected.

    The Director-General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, yesterday, said Atiku has the plan to restore peace in the South-East and releasing the IPOB leader is one of them.

    Okonkwo made this assertion barely 48 hours that Kanu’s international spokesperson and American counsel, Bruce Fein called on Atiku, Bola Tinubu and Peter Obi to promise to free the self-determination leader from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) if any of them becomes next country’s leader.

    Reacting to Okonkwo’s statement, IPOB said PDP should demand that the federal government release their leader and not use it in the campaign.

    “IPOB leadership wish to state that its leader should on no account be used as a political bargaining chip for Nigerian election,” the statement said.

    It said, “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has been judicially declared an innocent man and that follows that he must be released from his continued illegal detention and torture by this present government of APC. We do not expect anything contrary but that the judgement of the Court of Appeal is implemented.

    “Moreover the leadership of IPOB wants to inform the PDP that in as much as we have no issue with their statement, their focus should be to demand that the Nigerian government obey the judgement of their own court.

    “Our demand has and will remain consistent irrespective of which person or party is occupying Aso Rock the Nigerian seat of power. Our Self Determination agitation is our inalienable right and that is the reason we have demanded a referendum which is a democratic process to enable Biafrans to determine their fate and decide where they wish to belong whether in Nigeria or in a free and Sovereign Biafran nation.”

    (Vanguard)

  • IPOB urges National Assemby to Reject Buhari’s Water Bill ‘plea’

    IPOB urges National Assemby to Reject Buhari’s Water Bill ‘plea’

    The leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra has urged the National Assembly not to hearken to the ‘plea’ of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), for a passage into law of the National Water Resources Bill.

    President Buhari had, in 2017, presented the controversial Bill to both chambers of the National Assembly, which seeks to transfer the control of water resources from the states to the Federal Government.

    The Bill resurfaced on the floor of the House of Representatives penultimate Thursday.

    But the IPOB in a statement, on Saturday, said it was not in support of the Bill, citing an ulterior motive.

    According to the statement, which was signed by the group’s Director of Media and Publicity, Emma Powerful, it was expedient for the National Assembly to listen to the voice of caution in order to save both the Fulanis and their alleged ulterior motive in southern Nigeria, especially Biafraland.

    The statement read in part, “We, the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra, wish to call for caution once again over the water ways secret bill sent to the Nigerian National Assembly by Buhari and his Fulani kinsmen.

    “We wish to unequivocally state our stand once again to Buhari, the National Assembly, the Fulani and entire world that Buhari cannot use crooked means to hand over our water ways in Biafraland to Fulani from Futajalon, having passed through mighty expanse of empty land in the North. We never for once in our lifetime ventured into encroachment nor occupation of any inch or parcel of land not belonging to us despite our limited landspace.

    “The National Assembly must save Fulani because this Bill sent by Buhari will consume so many of them if they venture into any river or water way situated in Biafraland.

    “The National Assembly must stop that Bill because it will only end up in the dustbin of history as one of the useless non-implementable acts of the Nigerian National Assembly. This deliberate attempt to steal our ancestral land and waterways by trick and through the back door is dead on arrival because it will be resisted with everything that we have at our disposal. Such impunity and selfishness considering the vast expanse of land available to Fulani in Northern Nigeria.

    “Biafrans would not shy away from protecting our heritage. We are waiting for them and they would learn an unforgettable lessons the hard way.

    “This old strategy that Buhari and his kinsmen are adopting to re-introduce RUGA is not lost on us Biafrans or lost on any other nation imprisoned in the hell of a country that is worth its name. Why must Fulanis’ terrorists and their cows be forced on us, to cohabit with us in our communities, those with whom we never share a single value system.

    “Let us tell you, RUGA can never sail through for the sake of Umuchineke and no amount of their efforts would succeed in bringing RUGA evil project to fruition in our land.

    “The IPOB will never accept such permutations no matter the inducement they use to deceive the gullible, the compromised, the spineless good for nothing politicians and slaves of the uncircumcised Fulanis in Biafraland.

    “We reject that in totality, we knew that the impostor wants to secure lands and waterways for Fulani bandits and terrorists before he leaves office in less than one year, let him look elsewhere.”

    (Punch)

  • Proscription: IPOB seeks order of court to amend grounds of appeal

    Proscription: IPOB seeks order of court to amend grounds of appeal

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is seeking an order of court to amend its notice and grounds of appeal filed on March 6, 2018, at the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division.

    Statement by Aloy Ejimakor, counsel to the leader of IPOB, Nmamdi Kanu, said the pro-Biafra group has engaged the services of Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume (SAN) to step up on its 2018 appeal, seeking the reversal of proscription of IPOB and the terrorist tag by the Federal Government.

    Ume would among other things, on behalf of Nmamdi Kanu and IPOB, modify the already existing five grounds of appeal and add 13 more.

    When the proscription was made ex parte in October 2017, the IPOB had approached the Court of Appeal insisting that the trial court was in error and praying that the lower court’s orders exparte be set aside.

    IPOB had framed five grounds which include that the activities of the group were not within the definition of terrorism acts as enshrined in Section 2 (1)(a)(b) & (c) of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013, to warrant such proscription.

    The statement noted that just recently, Machukwu-Ume has determined that there was need for amendments of the existing grounds of arguments to help in a just and favorable determination of the pending appeal.

    Machukwu-Umeh is leading a team of several lawyers that include IPOB’s senior principal lawyers, Ejimakor and Ifeanyi Ejiofor.

    Based on court documents made available by Ejimakor, the proposed amended notice and grounds of appeal (which are now 18 in total) accused the Attorney General of the Federation of “looking the other way while the Fulani herdsmen are killing, maiming and kidnapping all over Nigeria but on the other hand applying to court to proscribe (appellants) IPOB that do not cause any violence.”

    The senior lawyer in the appeal argued that IPOB would be greatly prejudiced if the application is refused.

    (Sun)

  • IPOB not a proscribed organization in UK, says British High Commission in Nigeria

    IPOB not a proscribed organization in UK, says British High Commission in Nigeria

    British High Commission in Nigeria has faulted reports that UK Government has added the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, to the UK’s list of terrorist groups.

    This is coming a day after it was reported that UK sought to exclude IPOB members who have committed human rights abuses from its asylum program.

    Clarifying its message, British High Commission in Nigeria in a statement made available to newsmen opined: “We are aware of inaccurate reporting circulating in the media and online that the UK Government has added the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to the UK’s list of terrorist groups or organisations banned under UK law. These reports are untrue. The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is not a proscribed organisation in the UK.

    “The inaccurate reporting relates to the 13 April 2022 publication by the UK Government of a revised Country Policy and Information note (CPIN) on separatist groups in SE Nigeria, including the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). CPINs provide country of origin information (COl) and analysis of COI for use by UK Government decision-makers handling particular types of protection and human rights claims.

    “All asylum and human rights claims made in the UK are considered on their individual facts in accordance with our obligations under the UN Refugee Convention and European Convention on Human Rights, taking into account relevant background country information and case law.

    “The CPIN on separatist groups in the South East, including the Indigenous People of Biafra, provides a general assessment of risks faced by individuals belonging to those groups. These assessments are based on an analysis of publicly available country information obtained from a wide range of reliable sources including media outlets; UK and other governments; local, national and international organisations; and non-government organisations.

    “This CPIN also acknowledges that the Nigerian government has proscribed IPOB as a terrorist organisation, some members of IPOB have reportedly used violence against the state and members of the public, and advises that persons who have committed human rights abuses must not be granted protection.”

    (Vanguard)

  • UK Makes U-turn, Recognises IPOB as Terrorist Group Excluded from Asylum

    UK Makes U-turn, Recognises IPOB as Terrorist Group Excluded from Asylum

    The Government of the United Kingdom(UK) has made a u-turn on its treatment of members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), recognising Nigeria’s classification of the group as a terrorist organisation.

    According to the The Cable, in a May 2022 update of its asylum policy,  the UK government excluded members of the group from seeking refuge in England.

    TheCable had reported in April 2021 that the UK was planning to grant asylum to persecuted members of the separatist group, as part of its refugee policy published at the time.

    The policy, at the time, was for asylum to be granted to “persecuted” members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB)”.

    The UKVI, a division of the Home Office, directed its decision makers to consider if a person “who actively and openly supports IPOB is likely to be at risk of arrest and detention, and ill-treatment which is likely to amount to persecution.”

    If the person can prove persecution, then the IPOB member or supporter could be granted asylum.

    A few days after the policy notes were published, the UK government took it down, following complaints from the Nigerian government.

    In July 2021, an updated policy on asylum was seen by TheCable, with no clear mention of IPOB, but more emphasis on Nigerians fleeing Boko Haram’s onslaught.

    The UK said at the time that it would offer protection to “women, LGBTI persons and non-indigenes” who “may face additional discrimination which prevents them from being able to access effective protection”.

    The UK government said Nigerians could now claim asylum in the UK if they face “fear of persecution and/or serious harm by members of Boko Haram because of” their “actual or perceived opposition to the group”.

    However, in its May 2022 policy update seen by TheCable, UKVI referred to IPOB as a terrorist organisation to be excluded from its asylum programme over alleged links to violence in the south-east.

    “IPOB is proscribed as a terrorist group by the Nigerian government, and members of the group and its paramilitary wing – the Eastern Security Network (created in December 2020) – have reportedly committed human rights violations in Nigeria,” UKVI said in its policy notes.

    It added that “MASSOB has been banned, but is not a proscribed terrorist group in Nigeria. It too has reportedly been involved in violent clashes with the authorities”.

    UKVI went on to tell its decision makers that “if a person has been involved with IPOB (and/or an affiliated group), MASSOB or any other ‘Biafran’ group that incites or uses violence to achieve its aims, decision makers must consider whether one (or more) of the exclusion clauses under the Refugee Convention is applicable.

    “Persons who commit human rights violations must not be granted asylum,” the UK added.

    The policy brief noted that anyone excluded in this manner is also “excluded from a grant of humanitarian protection”.

    UKVI also advised that “decision makers must, however, still consider all claims on an individual basis, taking into account each case’s specific facts”.

    Since the last update in July 2021, Nnamdi Kanu, leader of IPOB and a UK citizen, has been in the custody of the Nigerian government on the grounds of allegations, including treason.

    In its 2022 new year message, the group said the Nigerian national anthem will no longer be sung across schools in the south-east.

    (Thisday)

  • Igbo ancestors will avenge this wickedness — IPOB denies beheading soldiers

    The Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB has denied any involvement in what is also called a dastardly and barbaric act of beheading of Army couple, saying God will not forgive the people who carried out the heinous act.

    IPOB also said that it was not in the character of  Igbo people to hurt an in-law, no matter the ethnic group such in-law was coming from, let alone when the person was married to a daughter of Igbo land.

    A statement by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, entitled “We have no hand in the beheading of Army couple in Imo State”, called on Igbo ancestors to avenge such wickedness of killing an Igbo daughter and her husband.

    The pro-Biafra group also said while it was committed to the actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, the project was not predicated on shedding the blood of any human being, even when their innocent members and their relations and sympathizers were killed almost on daily basis by security men.

    According to IPOB, no true Igbo person will hurt an in-law, let alone one marrying an Igbo daughter.

    The statement read:  “We are the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, under the command of our indefatigable leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Our attention has been drawn to the laughable and fallacious statement credited to the Nigerian Army that IPOB is responsible for the killing of a couple on transit in Imo State after their marriage ceremony.

    “We, therefore, wish to place on record that IPOB has no hands in the said dastardly and barbaric act. It is an atrocity which is an abominable act in Igbo tradition to kill a couple for whatever reason. No true Igbo will hurt an in-law, let alone one marrying our daughter (Ada Igbo) in Igbo land. The Igbo ancestors will avenge this wickedness meted to an in-law and our daughter.

    “Before the Army jumped into their jaundiced conclusion that such an abominable act was masterminded by IPOB, what investigations did they carry out to substantiate their claims?

    “When have armed gunmen or criminals recruited by evil politicians in Imo State in connivance with the same security agencies in their desperation to demonize IPOB, become IPOB members?

    “The compromised Nigeria security agencies particularly the Nigeria military is behind the ongoing secret genocide in Biafra land under the guise of hunting for IPOB members, while the real mass murderers and bandits are on the prowl in South East and Northern Nigeria.

    “They have always looked for occasions to attack innocent Igbo youths. Who knows the number of innocent Biafrans they will rope in, in the aftermath of this abominable act and tag them the suspects or IPOB members.

    “The Nigeria Army should leave IPOB alone because we are not killers, we do not shed blood and can never be unknown gunmen that are pursuing them. The monster they created is now after them, yet they keep pointing accusing fingers at us.”

    (Vanguard)

  • Police confirm killing of EbubeAgu operative in Ebonyi

     

    The Ebonyi State Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Loveth Odah, said the incident occurred on Saturday night in Igweledeoha, Amagu, in Ikwo Local Government Area.

    According to her, the DPO of Ikwo Police Division said that he received a phone call from a source at Igweledeoha that one ESN operative had been murdered, that he was partially burnt by unknown persons in his beer parlour on Agubia Road.

    “The DPO said that he quickly mobilised a team of police operatives to the area but the culprits had deserted the place when they got there.

    “He said the corpse has been taken to the General Hospital for preservation and autopsy,” the police spokesperson said.

    According to the Police Spokesperson, two suspects had been arrested in connection with the crime.

    She said the Commissioner of Police, Mr Garba Aliyu, expressed dismay over the killing and promised to bring the perpetrators to book.

    Tension in Okigwe, Ehime in Imo

    Some of those who spoke to Vanguard from Okigwe town said it is almost becoming a daily occurrence.

    A bus driver, Ejike said that God will continue to protect people driving through Owerri- Okigwe road as many evil things are happening especially at night.

    “Small boys with guns will just stop you and collect your money.”

    Also, a former local government Chairman from Imo North Senatorial district, who does not want his name mentioned for security reasons told Vanguard: “Before it gets late on the security situations in Okigwe and the entire Imo North Senatorial district, I will advise the Imo State Commissioner of Police to move his men to Okigwe.

    “I beg the security agencies to come now and secure Okigwe zone before what happened in Orlu local government will start happening here. These bad boys are moving into our villages and towns. They are now committing armed robbery activities.

    “Every day, you hear bad stories about stealing from the market, snatching of vehicles or killings and sometimes, these hoodlums will come out and shoot indiscriminately to scare people and cause panic. I beg something should be done now.”

    An intelligence officer who spoke to Vanguard said it has been observed that the hoodlums who were displaced and dislodged by security agencies have relocated to Okigwe to form a camp.

    According to him, “We know that the reason Orlu was somehow quiet was that these hoodlums have moved to other areas especially Okigwe local government area.”

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.vanguardngr.com

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Treat Sit-at-home enforcers as criminals, IPOB tells Government

    Treat Sit-at-home enforcers as criminals, IPOB tells Government

     

    THE Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, yesterday, told South-East governors and members of the public to as a matter of urgency, deal decisively with criminals still enforcing Monday weekly sit-at-home.

    IPOB also lamented what it called the senseless shooting in Enugu State on Monday which it alleged was done by hoodlums and cultists recruited and sponsored by some evil politicians in the state who derive joy in spilling the blood of their fellow citizens.

    This came as the chairman of South-East Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi said he backs a political solution to Nnamdi Kanu’s incarceration.

    This is even as the Ebonyi State Police Command, yesterday, confirmed the killing of a member of the southeast security outfit code-named EbubeAgu in the state. The victim, Ifeanyi Orogbo, 32, was murdered and partially burnt by his assailants.

    Meantime, residents of the Okigwe local government area yesterday said they now live in fear as a result of the activities of bandits and kidnappers.

    ‘Treat anybody enforcing sit-at-home as criminal’

    A statement by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, entitled, South-East Governors, members of the public should deal decisively with criminals enforcing Monday sit-at-home” said that IPOB has severally explained that it has not authorized anybody to enforce Monday sit-at-home which has been suspended since August 19, 2021.

    The pro-Biafra group also told the South-East Governors and the general public to treat as a criminal, anybody unleashing terror on innocent citizens under the guise of enforcing sit-at-home order because they do not deserve pity.

    IPOB’s statement read: “The attention of the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has been drawn to the senseless shooting in Enugu State on Monday by hoodlums and cultists recruited and sponsored by some evil politicians in the state who derive joy in spilling the blood of their fellow citizens.

    “We have severally explained that IPOB has not authorized anybody to enforce Monday sit-at-home, which has been suspended since August 19, 2021. Anybody unleashing terror on innocent citizens under the guise of enforcing sit-at-home order is a criminal and does not deserve pity.

    “Despite the suspension of Monday Sit-At-Home since 19th of August 2021, some unscrupulous elements and criminals conniving with security agencies and our enemies, have continued to inflict pain on our people. Their aim is to blackmail IPOB, but they will continue to fail.

    “Now, we want to inform our people to stand firm in the fight for their liberty. IPOB did not ask anybody to enforce sit-at-home of any kind. Henceforth, ESN operatives will come from the bushes and forests and go after these criminals unleashing mayhem on innocent people and visitors to Biafra land in the name of enforcing non-existent Monday sit-at-home order.

    “We, therefore, urge Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, to deal decisively with any hoodlum using Monday sit-at-home to torture innocent citizens/residents of the state.

    “No genuine member of IPOB or ESN operative is involved in any enforcement of Monday sit-at-home order. Anybody doing so is working against Biafra restoration and for a criminal group.

    “We equally call on our people and members of the public to skin alive, any idiot caught inflicting sorrow on the people in the name of enforcing non-existent Monday sit-at-home order. Such an evil soul and messenger of death doesn’t deserve to live.

    “Those shooting sporadically in the market are criminals and bandits using the name of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu and ESN to humiliate our people and demonize the movement. Their aim is to give the federal government excuse to hold our leader perpetually in detention.

    “ESN operatives are ready and poised to confront criminals creating these problems in the name of ESN and IPOB in the region. We have suspended Monday Sit-At-Home a long time ago, and we have not rescinded that decision. Biafrans must be strong to withstand our enemies and their collaborators every Monday.

    “IPOB was not formed to terrorise people. We remain peaceful and focused on the pursuit of Biafra freedom and independence. Governor Ugwuanyi and other Governors in the region must provide security for our people on Mondays because ESN is now ready to confront these criminals.

    “Nobody should link IPOB or ESN with these bunch of criminals acting in our region and those enforcing non-existent Monday sit-at-home order. How can we stop sit-at-home and turning around to compel people to observe it?

    “We are not hypocrites and we must come out victorious. The media should stop linking IPOB and ESN with the criminals behind this sad development. They are not our members and we can never accommodate this kind of criminals in our movement and family of IPOB.”

    Political Solution for Nnamdi Kanu–Umahi

    Similarly, the chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, Engineer Dave Umahi has made case for a political solution to Kanu’s incarceration.

    Speaking with Journalists in Abuja after declaring for the 2023 Presidency, Umahi said: “Let me also add that as the chairman of Southeast Governors Forum, that I support a political solution to our insecurity problems in the southeast. And of course, I mentioned it to Mr President

    “You see, the political solution does not terminate the judicial process. And if you know Mr President very well, he has always said and has always demonstrated that he wouldn’t interfere with any judicial process. Everybody knows him for that. But you remember very well, that if an agreement is reached between parties, you don’t expect Mr President to be the negotiator. There are a lot of federal government officials.

    “So, I believe strongly that if the southeast is proposing for a political solution, they should be able to engage the federal government. After all, there’s always what is called out-of-court settlement but it is for our people and our brother Kanu to be willing for us to truly engage so that we can find true peace in our region because the activities there have destroyed a lot of the economy of the people. A lot of lives have been lost and we were shooting it that it wasn’t going to benefit (anyone) because agitation shouldn’t have gone the way it did.

    IPOB fighting criminals

    Umahi said further: “Today, the matter has gone beyond them. You know, every criminal, kidnapper, armed robber tend to claim IPOB and IPOB, in turn, is fighting them. But I think, it is late. So, we desire peace, we desire to save the lives of our people. And so, we are willing to engage, to see that we have an amicable settlement. And you know, rebuild the economy of South East.”

    Reminded that this should be the starting point of his engagement, he said: “You see, the leaders of the southeast, of course, not all of them, they must be selected leaders, Ohanaeze and Chief Mbazurluike Amechi are already in the forefront and we can find true peace in our region.

    “They have always been briefing me and so, I’ve joined them. That could be the starting point, and we will be able to know what we want. We want peace. And so, there are things we must give up in order to acquire that peace.

    “If we are not being fairly treated, and some people feel we are not being fairly treated, we should be able to, constructively show to the federal government, the areas we think that we are not being fairly treated, not through hate speeches, not through violence. I don’t believe in these things because even in homes, in families, the wife or husband or children, we still have one thing or the other against the family but they should be able to discuss.”

    Asked if he shared his thoughts with the President on the IPOB leader and what his response was, he said: “If you listen to me very well, Mr President has never been in disagreement for peace or anything that will bring peace.

    “But you must allow him, you know, for what he believes in and for his pedigree and integrity, not to interfere with the judiciary, but it is up to us because the by-product of our discussion and negotiation is such that we can now go to court and seek for out of court settlement and whatever is the agreement becomes the settlement of the court.

    “So, I believe strongly that a political solution would be far better than the process which may last for a very long time.”

    Speaking on why he was at the State House, he said: “Recall that in September, I came to see Mr President to invite him to Ebonyi State to commission some of our completed projects, and lay foundations stones for some of our ongoing projects, especially the Ebonyi State International Airport.

    “But while we were in Paris together, I asked him to defer the visit to the first quarter of 2022, which he graciously approved for me. So today, I came to re-invite him to come and commission our numerous projects in Ebonyi State on March 15, 2022. So we are working on that.

    “I also briefed the President on the ongoing international airport of Ebonyi State of which I requested for his assistance. It’s taking due process. And I believe that Mr President, if he finds merit in it will definitely assist us to purchase airport equipment to enable us to commission the airport about the end of May 2022.”

     

     

     

     

    source: www.vanguardngr.com

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • The Coalition of Northern Groups call for a total boycott of Igbo buisneses in the North

     

    The Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG has reacted to the Proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB’s ban on the consumption of ‘Fulani cows’ (beef) in South-East, calling for a total boycott of all businesses operated by the Igbo all over the North.

     

    CNG through its Spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said that IPOB’s order issued in a statement on Monday by one Emma Powerful, amounted to a grave provocation and serious threat to northern commercial interests in the South East and by extension, to the physical wellbeing of Northerners living as minorities among Igbo communities.

     

    In a renewed resolve to pay a coin for any direct or indirect attack or threat to Northerners and their interests anywhere in the country, the CNG called for the total boycott of all businesses, goods and services operated by Igbo in the North effective from the same April 2022.

     

    The CNG also called on northerners everywhere to decline support for any political party or formation or movement that has the active participation of South-East politicians.

     

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the North while maintaining its tradition of tolerance and accommodation, shall however no longer be disposed to condoning further acts of irresponsibility in the form of deliberate threats of intimidation or harassment targeted at Northerners living and doing legitimate businesses elsewhere in the country.

     

    “Since such targeted utterances have in the past been preludes to physical attacks on northerners and destruction of their properties in particularly the South East, we urge northern transporters and suppliers of goods to consider alternative trade routes to avoid the imminent risks that come with this IPOB threat.

     

    “We warm that the North has had enough of the antagonism from the South East and its attack dog, the IPOB and will no longer remain passive under such deliberate and sustained attacks and will henceforth be forced to react to every provocation and unwarranted abuse and violations.

     

    “All those who have no other useful vocation other than attacking northerners under the slightest of pretexts should know that our patience has reached its nadir.

     

    “The North’s reticence in speaking out or taking action is not born of fear or ignorance of how to respond in kind,” Suleiman said.

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.vanguardngr.com

  • Religious leaders, Monarchs demand release of Nnamdi kanu

    South-East Council of Traditional Rulers and representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops; and the World Igbo Congress, WIC, have appealed to the federal government, to release the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.Similarly, the groups also expressed “deep concern” over the high level of insecurity and socio-economic disruption in the southeast geo-political zone of the country.

    The plea was part of a nine-point communiqué issued after their meeting and signed by the Catholic Archbishops of Owerri and Onitsha, Most Rev. Anthony J. V. Obinna and Most Rev. Valerian M. Okeke, respectively.

    Signatories to the communique also included the Methodist Bishop of Umuahia, Most Rev. Chibuzor R. Opoko; Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, South East Zone, Rev. Dr. Abraham Nwali ; and the Past Principal Secretary, Presbyterian Church Nigeria, Most Rev. Dr. Uma A. Onwunta.

    Other signatories are: Chairmen of the State Councils of Traditional Rulers of Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States, Obi Nnaemeka Achebe; Igwe Charles Mkpuma, Igwe L. O. C. Agubuzu, and Eze E. C. Okeke respectively.

    The communiqué read: “We, the South East Council of Traditional Rulers and the Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops, note with deep concern, the high level of insecurity and socio-economic disruption in the southeast zone of Nigeria.

    “This has deepened the hardships being faced by the citizens and rendered prostrate, the socio-political and economic lives of our people.

    “Flowing from similar initiatives taken to bring peace to other troubled parts of the country, we urge the Federal Government and other stakeholders, to explore dialogue and negotiation in resolving critical issues that threaten national unity, cohesion, and development.

    “Accordingly, we refer to our earlier request for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to the South East Council of Traditional Rulers and the Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops and restate this call even more strongly.

    “We are of the firm belief that this act of courage and statesmanship is not only imperative but will speedily de-escalate the heightened state of insecurity and dislocation in the southeast zone.

    “We also urge President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government, to take immediate steps to de-proscribe the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and release all IPOB members being held in various detention facilities in Nigeria.

    “We call on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to demilitarize the southeast zone, moreso as it has become apparent that a continued military siege on the region can only lead to heightened tension, skirmishes, and endless bloodletting between the security agencies and our youths.

    “It has become urgent, imperative, and compelling to de-emphasize the military option and move towards finding a political solution that will lead to sustainable peace.

    “We assert that heightened inequality and marginalization remain at the core of youth restiveness in our region.

    “We urge our apex national leadership to note that until it takes deliberate steps to run the government based on fairness, equity, justice, and non-discrimination, this restiveness is likely to continue.”

    While saying that they shall respectfully seek audience with Mr. President, to discuss these issues in exploring political solution and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, they also promised that: “On our part, we assure our youths that we have heard their cries of marginalization, injustice, and longsuffering.

    “As concerned parents, we feel your pain. However, we urge you to de-escalate the tension and remain law-abiding to enable us to engage especially the Federal Government in finding a lasting solution to the crisis.”

    Addressing the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Anambra State, the group said: “Consistent with the above, we urge IPOB not to do anything that would hinder or be seen to be hindering the smooth running of the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State and to cancel the scheduled sit-at-home orders, as these have already caused untold hardship for our people.

    “Finally, we call on all the candidates in the forthcoming Anambra State Governorship Election to eschew violence and commit to a free, fair, and credible election.”

    WIC demands release of Kanu, other Igbo youths

    The World Igbo Congress, WIC, stated that it was miffed with the political developments in Nigeria, particularly as it relates to Anambra State, and asked the federal government and its apparatuses to de-escalate the tension and demonstrate a genuine desire to conduct free and fair elections to improve the country’s political and economic development.

    WIC in addition to the demand for the release of all detained Igbo youths also asked the federal government to constitute a wide political conference that will address pertinent issues of injustice and inequity in the polity to save the nation.

    According to the WIC Public Relations Officer, Hon. Basil Onwukwe, the increased agitation for equity and fairness in governance was real and solutions required, which it tasked the federal government to act on the matters as urgently as possible.

    The group painted a bleak future of the country whose youths were in the highest voting demography but are either incarcerated in various security cells or prisons in Nigeria.

    “The heightened insecurity in a militarized southeast region explains it all and is driving the desire to abandon the election in Anambra State.

    “It is worrisome that after the recent coordinated violence targeted to destabilize Anambra State, the security agents have not made any credible arrests of the killers.

    “All the desperate plans to pitch Ndigbo against each other has failed while deliberate attempt to replicate Imo State playbook is in the works, but any decision to enthrone election by a selection of rejected candidates again in Igboland will not be acceptable.

    “We urge the federal government to take an honorable decision of releasing innocent Igbo youths in various DSS custody, including Nnamdi Kanu, and constitute a wide political conference that will address the pertinent issues of injustice and inequity in the polity to save the nation.

    “That’s what a federal government that sees all the citizens as equal partners should do,” Onwukwe said.

    Source: www.vanguardngr.com