PRESS RELEASE
10 JUNE 2025

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), under the leadership of our detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, strongly condemns the latest disgraceful attempt by Arise News to twist facts and push false narratives in its misleading headline titled “Peter Obi: I Condemn All Wrongdoing by IPOB But Dialogue Is the Only Way Forward”.

A careful and objective review of Mr. Peter Obi’s actual statement reveals that he did not directly condemn IPOB, nor did he attribute any specific wrongdoing to our movement. Rather, Mr. Obi spoke in general terms against violence in Nigeria – a position IPOB itself maintains, as a peaceful and legally recognized self-determination movement. So where did Arise News derive the false quotation attributing condemnation to IPOB?

This dishonest misrepresentation by Arise News is not just a professional failure; it is part of a broader pattern of malicious media manipulation that seeks to criminalize IPOB and legitimize the unjust persecution of its members. We recall with painful memory how similar media distortions in the 1960s contributed to the dehumanization and mass killing of millions of innocent Biafrans. The same tools of demonization are being deployed again, this time by so-called modern media houses that pretend to uphold journalism while acting as propaganda contractors for a failed state.

IPOB has never wavered in its commitment to non-violent agitation for Biafra’s independence through legal and peaceful means. This position has been affirmed by credible international bodies, human rights organizations, and various courts. Yet, outfits like Arise News continue to irresponsibly tag IPOB with violence while turning a blind eye to the real state-sponsored terror and impunity across Nigeria.

We wish to state categorically that IPOB is not responsible for the insecurity in the South-East. The violence plaguing our land is the direct result of state-sponsored militias, security agencies who act with impunity, and criminal elements whom the Nigerian state refuses to prosecute. The intention is clear: to blackmail IPOB and justify the extraordinary rendition and continued illegal detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

With Mazi Kanu’s court hearing coming up this week, we are not surprised by the reactivation of the media smear campaign. This is the same dirty script used whenever a critical legal milestone approaches. But we warn Arise News and its paymasters: IPOB will no longer tolerate this sustained campaign of lies. We demand a public retraction of the false headline and a commitment to responsible journalism going forward.

If Arise News cannot adhere to basic journalistic ethics, then it should cease masquerading as a media house and fully declare itself a political propaganda outlet. IPOB reserves the right to pursue all available legal and diplomatic channels to defend our name and our cause.

COMRADE EMMA POWERFUL MEDIA AND PUBLICITY SECRETARY FOR IPOB.