The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has issued a cautionary statement urging people in the South-East not to participate in nationwide protests against the economic challenges under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu. In a statement by IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, the separatist group emphasized that the Igbo community had lost interest in Nigeria and was waiting for an opportunity to secede.
Powerful warned against organizing protests in the South-East, stating that such actions would endanger the Igbo people. The statement highlighted the historical grievances faced by the Igbo community, including abuse, intimidation, violence, and denial of voting rights during elections. IPOB stressed that Biafrans should not get involved in protests related to economic hardships in Nigeria, emphasizing that these challenges were the concern of Nigerians and not the secessionist group.
While acknowledging the economic difficulties faced by Ndigbo, IPOB urged them to leave the current hardship in Nigeria to be addressed by the rest of the country. The group attributed the economic challenges to the historical injustices against Biafrans and reiterated its commitment to the fight for freedom. IPOB suggested that those interested in organizing protests should do so in the northern or western parts of the country and not in the South-East, which is dealing with state-sponsored insecurity, kidnappings, and killings.
Meanwhile, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex socio-cultural Igbo organization, also urged the Igbo people not to participate in protests against the Tinubu-led Federal Government. The statements from both IPOB and Ohanaeze reflect the complex and varied perspectives within the Igbo community regarding national issues and protests.
