From Emeka Odogwu Emeka, Isaac Ojo, Ifeoma Ejiofor, Awka
The Indigineuos People of Biafra I (IPOB) has denied being responsible for the call for the boycott of Anambra State governorship election, saying they never expressed any interest in the election.
The Media and Publicity Secretary of IPOB, Comrade Emma Powerful, made the recant in a press statement.
Powerful also said that the order for closure of hotels in Anambra State during the guber polls did not emanate from the group.
“We wish to correct some misconceptions, unfounded speculations and outright falsehood concerning our position on the forthcoming November 6 governoship election in Anambra State.
“First of all, we wish to reiterate that IPOB did not at any time issue any order or call for the boycott of the said election contrary to misconceptions in certain quarters. In fact, IPOB has nothing to do with Anambra election. Nobody should therefore link us with the election. The freedom of our Leader is what matters to us and we don’t need distractions.
“The priority of IPOB is to secure the unconditional release of our Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who has been illegally detained since his rendition to Nigeria. All we said was that if by November 4 those who abuducted, renditioned and illegally detained him fail to release him unconditionally, Biafrans shall embark on civil disobedience of one week sit-at-home begining from November 5 to November 10
“This action has nothing to do with Anambra election. As a matter of fact, we are not concerned if anyone wishes to participate or not to participate in Anambra election. But our only advice to Ndi Anambra especially those contemplating to vote is to be very careful about their security. Thirty-four (34) thousand police officers excluding the Army, Civil defence, DSS and other security personnel have been moved down to Biafraland for an election or for a continuation of mass massacre of our people young and old?
“The Nigerian Security personnel are using every opportunity to commit mayhem in Biafraland and then turn around to point accusing fingers at IPOB. We are alerting our people and the international community that our enemies are already using this election period as another opportunity to kill our people and blame it on IPOB. If anyone is not sure of his or her safety then it is better to stay away from danger than to go and die for useless and greedy politicians who have no modicum of regard for the suffering and life of the poor masses.” Emma Powerful pointed out.
He declared emphatically that IPOB has not asked anybody to monitor or enforce compliance to any sit-at-home as this is unnecessary because Biafrians willingly and consciously obey IPOB’s call for Sit-At-Home.
“Our people are all fed up with their suffering and oppressive conditions imposed upon us by the contraption called Nigeria and do not need any persuasion to do the needful. We also wish to totally dissociate IPOB from a viral voice note warning hotel owners in Anambra to shut down from November 4. The said voice note never emanated from IPOB. It’s another handiwork of our oppressors in their desperation to implicate IPOB. We therefore, urge members of the public to discountenance such rubbish. IPOB under Nnamdi Kanu is not the author.
“That voice note ordering all hotels in Anambra State to shut down must stop. We now order all our volunteers to unravel the monster behind this wicked voice note. It’s now very obvious that some traitors are out to demonise IPOB.” He said.
The IPOB’s spokesperson alleged that the enemies in collaboration with some traitors and desperate politicians are coming up with various pranks and antics to cause confusion in Igboland and possibly scuttle our struggle for independence.
He warned that anybody caught trying to use the name of IPOB to foment trouble in Anambra State or any part of Biafra land will regret his or her actions.
“It is important to note and re-emphasise that IPOB has its channels of information dissemination, and any information purportedly coming from IPOB that is not passed through these channels is fake and should be disregarded. The public should stop linking us with any trash that doesn’t have the authority of IPOB Spokesperson.” He concluded.
