The Indigenous People of Biafra has disassociated itself from the recent declaration of a “Biafra Republic Government in Exile” in Finland, labelling the event a joke and a desperate attempt to undermine its legitimate quest for an independent homeland.
In a statement issued yesterday by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, and titled “IPoB Worldwide Wish to Put the Records Straight About the Biafra Second Declaration in Finland”, the group criticised the gathering, describing it as the handiwork of “content creators” and “faceless individuals” aiming to discredit IPoB’s global reputation.
“The noble family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB, led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wishes to put the record straight about the second declaration in Biafra in Finland, following the shambolic gathering of content creators in Finland a few days ago, under the auspices of a phantom and ridiculous Biafra Government in Exile, where it was claimed Biafra was declared yet again,” the statement read.
The group further accused the Nigerian government of sponsoring the event to tarnish IPoB’s image.
“All those in positions of power in Nigeria that sponsored this joke called declaration in Finland in the hope of damaging the global standing of IPoB should cover their faces in shame. In their desperation to destroy IPoB by any and every means, and at all costs, they ended up according notoriety to themselves and the man that proclaimed himself Prime Minister from a one-bedroom flat on the 20th floor of a housing project somewhere in Finland.”
IPoB dismissed statements from social media and organisations such as the Igala groups and the Pan Niger Delta Forum disassociating themselves from Biafra, describing them as “pathetic” and “laughable.”
“For the thousandth time, we wish to make it abundantly clear that ancient Igboland spans 13 states of Nigeria. These are not areas occupied by Igbo-speaking people but are ancient Igbo land with Igbo people in them,” the group emphasised.
IPoB vowed to challenge the gerrymandering of Igbo territories, which it said aimed to confine Igboland to five southeastern states, and called for a United Nations-supervised referendum.
“Those in Igala and PANDEF that claim they don’t want anything to do with Biafra must also know and accept that they were Igbos in Igboland and that it was ceded to the North, Mid-West, and South-South. They will eternally be Igboland, and nothing will change this indisputable fact.”
The group reiterated that Biafra would be founded on confederate principles similar to Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates, stressing that no ethnic group would be forced to join.
“Our great leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is on record as having said repeatedly that no ethnic group, tribe, or clan will be forced to become part of Biafra. Biafra shall be a model nation founded along the principles of confederacy as obtains in Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates, with the consent of the people willfully expressed in a UN-supervised referendum.”
Emma Powerful also noted the historical ties between Igala and Igbo people, particularly in Obosi, Anambra State, urging PANDEF and Igala leaders to express their preferences during a referendum.
“We Biafrans are republican by nature, and no single human being can arrogate powers unto himself without the consent of the people. Therefore, there can never be any government or Prime Minister without the consent of every Biafran, willfully expressed in a widely accepted democratic process,” the statement added.
IPoB affirmed its commitment to peaceful agitation, maintaining that no amount of “subterfuge, deceit, lies, murder, kidnapping, or persecution” would derail its quest for self-determination.
“Biafra is a project ordained by our Almighty God Himself, and no amount of subterfuge, deceit, lies, murder, kidnapping, or persecution will make us deviate from this peaceful path to freedom,” it concluded.
