Nigerian Govt panics as 50 Biafran Nationalist groups close ranks to join Nnamdi Kanu-led IPOB

Nigerian Govt panics as 50 Biafran Nationalist groups close ranks to join Nnamdi Kanu-led IPOB

The Nigerian government is in panic mode following the collapsing of 50 Biafran nationalist groups into the Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous People of Biafra. The groups pledged to collapse their umbrellas and form a single front to pursue their life-long goal of achieving Biafra.

This was part of the communique released after a unity meeting of Biafran agitators which held at the weekend in Anambnra State.

The pro- Biafran groups also unanimously agreed that Nnamdi Kanu, currently in Kuje Prison, Abuja has paid his dues and must be supported by all freedom fighters.

The unity meeting which was convened by the Supreme Council of Elders of IPOB and presided over by the Vice-Chairman of the Elders’ Council of their group, Dr Dozie Ikedife, held in Nnewi, hometown of the late head of state of the defunct Peoples’ Republic of Biafra, Lt Col Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

In an address, Mr. Anthony Aniebue, administrator of the customary government of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), described the unity meeting as a milestone and charged members to work for the realisation of Biafra.

Dr. Ikedife, in his address titled ‘A Call for End of Discordant Tunes, A Call for Synergy’, said “there is need for unity if really we are pursuing the legal legitimate entitlements of our people, right to self -determination, as supported by United Nations Acts, African Union, and even the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

While acknowledging that all the groups were following the path they felt was the right due to the republican nature of the average Biafran, Ikedife, said it was time for all to close ranks and stop all in-fighting. “Let the misunderstandings of yesterday be forgiven and forgotten. Anyone who kills his brother or sister cannot be declared a hero. Let us focus synergistically on our goal,” he appealed.

He rained curses on those who have turned the Biafran struggle into a money-making venture, saboteurs and others who deliberately oppose unity, Uchenna Madu, current leader of MASSOB, while addressing the gahering, told them to eschew personal interest and embrace collective responsibility.

Some of the groups, drawn across the South-East and South-South, included Movement for the Actualisaton of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Customary Government of the Indigenous People of Biafra (CG-IPOB), Biafra Zionist Movement (BZM), Afra Descendants Movement (ADM), Eastern Veterans Social Welfare (EVSW), Bilie Human Rights Initiative (BHRI) and Biafra Descendants Movement (BDM).

Others include Radio Biafra, Biafran Central Council (BCC), Eastern Peoples’ Movement (EPM), Customary Government of IPOB and Movement of Biafrans in Nigeria (MOBIN).

Ochie Igbo, Anang Front, Igbozurume, Biafra Liberation Council (BLC), Wakawaka Biafra, Anioma Biafra, Biafra Reporters and Biafra Voice International (BVI). Also represented include Bonny Indigenous Group, Biafra Women Leaders and Great Commonwealth of the Niger Delta among others.

Meanwhile, IPOB, under the leadership of Nnamdi Kanu has blasted the Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano over his alleged comment that the group was ‘a toothless bulldog’.

The group stated that in a report credited to Governor

Obiano was said to have described IPOB as ‘‘a toothless buldog’’ capable of words and incapable of action’’ in a national daily.

He was also quoted to have said that the group was being used by a few to enrich themselves under the guise of fighting for Igbo freedom.

The governor was quoted as having also described IPOB as being “populated by youths who are at best misguided, “if they dare us, we shall tell them that blood is thicker than water and that rear tires can never overcome the front ones.”

But the IPOB spokespersons Emma Nmezu and Dr. Clifford Iroanya, while reacting to his comment wondered why Obiano should be attacking IPOB who was instrumental to his being the governor of Anambra State and could stop his second term ambition in November.

“We repudiated All Progressives Congress (APC) represented by Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige and we still do repudiate them till today.

“Secondly, we brought the entire Biafraland to a standstill on September 23, 2016 with our successful sit-at-home protest. The test of IPOB’s popularity and efficacy is never in doubt.

“We ask Obiano, how come we are in the business of enriching ourselves. It is common knowledge that IPOB funds itself through monthly dues contributed by members and though the money which comes in paltry amount, we beat our chest to proclaim that we don’t touch blood money from evil men.

“On the threats of further genocide on Biafrans by Obiano, we want the world to take notice so that he will be held accountable for his atrocious crimes against humanity. We promise Obiano that though we abhor and repudiate Nigerian politics, we shall do to him what we did to Dr. Ngige in 2013 Anambra gubernatorial election.”

Published by Family Writers

-From Jeff Amechi Agbodo and Aloysius Attah, Onitsha