National Telescope national telescope newspaper
The leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has strongly criticised the facilitators and supporters of the “IgboMustGo” campaign in the South-Western region of Nigeria, calling for a referendum to decide if the Igbo should exit the country.
The group stated that the South-Western authorities’ dismissal of the campaign was laughable, emphasising that the Igbo community is well-established and unafraid.
IPOB’s Director of Media and Publicity, Emma Powerful, issued a statement on Monday, condemning the proposed “IgboMustGo” protest scheduled for August 20-30, 2024.
The statement, made available to the press, accused certain high-ranking individuals within the Lagos State and Federal Governments of backing the campaign and warned Southerners to be cautious of their actions in the region.
The statement read: “The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) wish to remind the Yoruba anti-Igbo groups that Ndigbo are ready to exit Yoruba land and Nigeria via a referendum.
Ndigbo will not succumb to any threat from any group or individuals demanding that they leave any state or region in Nigeria.
It is laughable that Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who has been biased against Ndigbo with actions like demolishing their businesses, now hypocritically condemns the ‘IgboMustGo’ protest.”
IPOB accused Governor Sanwo-Olu of ethnic profiling and suggested that the “IgboMustGo” proponents are likely sponsored by influential figures in the Lagos and Federal Governments.
The group reiterated that the Igbo are prepared for any scenario that may arise from their desire to exit Nigeria, advocating for a peaceful and democratic departure to maintain good relations with neighbouring regions.
However, they warned that a forced or violent expulsion could lead to long-term hostility.
The statement continued: “The Yoruba tribal bigots and their sponsors must understand that Ndigbo are not moved by threats.
“We have decided to exit Nigeria and there is no basis for threatening violence or pursuing a genocide agenda with the ‘IgboMustGo’ protest.
“Instead of unconstitutional threats, they should urge President Tinubu to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and organise a referendum for the Igbo people to choose between Biafra and Nigeria.
“We are more enthusiastic about exiting Nigeria now than we were in the 1960s.”
IPOB also criticised the ongoing “EndBadGovernance” protests, alleging that they were organised by Yoruba and Fulani elements to target the Igbo.
The group claimed that although the Igbo have chosen not to participate, they have been unjustly accused of being behind the protests.
They warned that the current situation echoes the events that led to the genocidal war against Biafrans from 1967 to 1970, highlighting the existential threats faced by the Igbo in both Western and Northern regions of Nigeria.
The statement concluded with a call for international attention and intervention, appealing to human rights organisations, the United Nations, the European Union, and the African Union.
IPOB argued that the ethnic profiling and systemic discrimination against the Igbo community in Nigeria’s security, politics, and economics are clear indications of a genocidal agenda.
They therefore urged global bodies to recognise the Igbo as an endangered group in Nigeria and to support their right to a peaceful exit through a referendum.
IPOB further stated: “Silencing the quest for a Biafra referendum indirectly supports genocide against the Igbo people.
“Just as our forebears defended Biafra, this generation is determined to protect our land and people. We are not interested in calls for the arrest of the ‘IgboMustGo’ campaigners because we know nothing will happen to them.
“They are merely tools of the larger forces within the State and Federal Governments. We advise them to redirect their energy towards convincing President Tinubu to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and set a date for the Biafra referendum.
“Threatening the Igbo to leave Yoruba land is a sign of weakness. The Igbo are ready to exit both Yoruba land and Nigeria immediately.”
