IPOB PRESS RELEASE,
13/10/2023.

It is unfortunate that some unscrupulous elements, political jobbers, and criminal groups are opposing the position of IPOB on proposed peaceful discussions and dialogue. Persons like Onyike of COSEL, Goodluck Ibem Williams Iheakolam, and Ohaneze Ndigbo, ananymous press Secretary with Federal Government of Nigeria for Biafra referendum. It’s obvious that those persons and groups are the sponsors and beneficiaries of insecurity ravaging the Southeast.

We have noted with dismay the opposition from double agents like ananymous Ohaneze Ndigbo and some faceless persons speaking for a faction of Ohaneze Ndigbo. IPOB is a movement formed and governed based on international laws on self-determination. That is why IPOB has never yet picked up arms against the Nigeria government in our quest for Biafra Independence but has insisted on freedom via a referendum irrespective of all the Nigeria State sponsored brutality against us.

The IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi KANU, and all the members of the Directorate of States (DOS) of the Indigenous People of Biafra are men and women of honor who understand the principles and laws governing self-determination. We have severally placed the Nigeria government and the International Community on notice that IPOB is a peaceful movement, and we are ready for dialogue on the Biafra referendum anytime Nigeria Government is ready. No Country or International Organization will claim ignorance of IPOB’s demand. We will remain peaceful and law abiding until all democratic and political solutions are exhausted. Then, IPOB leaders and members will consider the next option for Biafra independence because our freedom is a must.

For those opposing our peaceful approach and demand for a referendum and dialogue, you can chat your own course. The criminals that the Nigerian government is sponsoring against our dialogue position can carry on with their militancy and criminality. These criminal groups should never mention IPOB, ESN, and Mazi Nnamdi KANU in their activities. Those opposing us are not members of IPOB, and their views do not represent that of IPOB or Mazi Nnamdi KANU.

As for the criminal politicians and political jobbers in Ohaneze Ndigbo and those who are behind using Ohaneze name to disparage Ndigbo should, come out in the open and stop using pseudo names to write rubbish in papers and in the social media. Those who preferred a restructured damnable Republic of Nigeria, where have you been since you betrayed Mazi Nnamdi KANU for the illusive restructuring, you should get restructuring for us? The political errand men in Ohaneze Ndigbo should be careful not to bring up their illusive restructure again now. They shouldn’t think we have forgotten how they colluded with the Nigeria Government and her murderous Security Forces to invade Mazi Nnamdi KANU’s house on September 14, 2017, for the same restructuring.

Though the Nigeria murderous Security Forces failed to assassinate Mazi Nnamdi KANU, many IPOB members, including family members of Mazi KANU, were murdered in the process. If Ohaneze ndioshi have been silent on their illusive restructuring after sabotaging IPOB and Mazi KANU, why are they bringing up restructuring now that we have called for dialogue on the referendum? The time of restructuring of Nigeria is gone.

We in IPOB are not joking with our demand for dialogue on Biafra referendum this time around and we are not begging Nigeria for that. Those benefiting from the insecurity in Biafra Land that are opposing this idea should be ready to face the consequences of their actions. The Nigeria government and her security advisers should save Nigeria and Biafra from protracted crisis that may come and be around the round table for discussions with IPOB and other genuine interest groups in the Biafra struggle. It will be stupid of any government to think that Biafra ideology can be wished away or perhaps stopped by guns, bullets, extrajudicial killings, and illegal detentions. If the genocidal war and starvation of millions of Biafran children between 1967-1970 didn’t stop Biafran’s burning desire for Independence, what else can? The earlier the Federal Government of Nigeria, the United Nations, African Union, and the rest International Community discuss and scheduled a date for Biafra referendum, the better for the political and economic survival of both Nigeria and Biafra.

But in the event that political criminals in Biafra Land and the Nigeria Government sabotage our peaceful demand for a referendum dialogue, they should be ready for what is to come. You can’t eat your cake and have it. Those who made peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

COMRADE EMMA POWERFUL, MEDIA, AND PUBLICITY SECRETARY FOR IPOB.