IPOB denies ordering boycott of 2023 elections

Proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has denied allegations that it has given directives to people of the South-East to boycott the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

The Biafran agitators, in a statement issued by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful on Thursday, said it has not given such nor sanctioned any sit-at-home on the days of elections, adding that it has no plans or intentions to order any sit-at-home during the election period

Powerful, however, warned a group he calls “Pan Nigeria President of Igbo Extraction Coalition,” to desist from linking IPOB with its “so-called state-sponsored criminal gang” issuing and enforcing sit-at-home orders to blackmail IPOB and the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

Powerful said IPOB has never forcefully obstructed the election process in Nigeria and does not intend to do so with regard to the forthcoming general elections in Nigeria.

“The global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra, under the command and leadership of our great and indefatigable leader, Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu, hereby warns the unknown mushroom group called Pan Nigeria President of Igbo Extraction Coalition, PANPIEC, to desist from linking our noble movement with the state-sponsored criminal gang issuing and enforcing sit-at-home orders to blackmail IPoB and ESN,” the statement reads.

“IPOB has no plan or intention to order any sit-at-home during the election period. IPOB has never forcefully obstructed the election process in Nigeria.

“IPOB has no faction. Nnamdi Kanu is the worldwide leader of IPOB, and nobody is contesting the leadership of IPOB with him.

“We have maintained that we don’t have any interest in Nigeria’s shambolic political selection process called Nigeria elections scheduled for February 2023.

READ ALSO:IPOB warns presidential candidates against using Kanu as ‘bargaining chip’ for election

“Our interest and focus is the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and for a date to be given for the Biafra referendum to enable Biafrans to determine their political future in or outside Nigeria.

“We knew that this mushroom group called PANPIEC, is among those sponsoring this fake group claiming that they are IPOB, issuing and enforcing reckless sit-at-home in the South-East and Igbo land in general.

“We challenge them that if they are not their sponsors with the Fulani government of Nigeria, why do they keep linking the paid agents of confusion with us, even as IPOB has publicly denounced any link with Simon Ekpa and his collaborators?

“It is on record and in the public domain that IPOB has not called for any sit-at-home during February general elections. It is also obvious that IPOB and ESN do not have any faction or splinter groups.

“IPOB remains peaceful and indivisible under one command of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, for the liberation of the Biafra Nation from the damnable Republic called Nigeria.

“We reiterate for the records that, IPOB has not, did not, and will not issue any sit-at-home order in February, during the general elections.

“We also did not call for any boycott of the upcoming elections. Nobody should blame or link IPOB with the statements or actions of government agents and agencies operating in the Eastern Region and claiming to be IPOB,” Powerful said.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now