On Monday, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) condemned the call for Igbo people to vacate the South-Western region of Nigeria. In their response, IPOB asserted that it is time to organize a referendum to determine whether the Igbo should exit Nigeria.
IPOB criticized the South-Western authorities for dismissing the “IgboMustGo” campaign and its supporters. They emphasized that the Igbo are already established in the region and are not intimidated by such threats.
The group also suggested that prominent figures within Lagos State and the Federal Government might be behind the “IgboMustGo” campaign.
IPOB urged Southerners to be cautious about their actions in the South-Western region.
In a statement released by IPOB’s Director of Media and Publicity, Emma Powerful, on Monday, it was highlighted that the “IgboMustGo” protest, scheduled from August 20-30, 2024, by some anonymous Yoruba groups, was provocative and genocidal. IPOB reminded the Yoruba anti-Igbo groups that the Igbo are prepared to exit Yoruba land and Nigeria through a referendum and will not yield to any threats to leave any state or region in Nigeria.
The statement criticized Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his perceived insincerity. It noted that the governor had previously engaged in actions perceived as discriminatory against the Igbo, such as the demolition of their businesses and properties in Lagos State. IPOB speculated that the “IgboMustGo” campaign might be funded by influential individuals in both the Lagos State and Federal Governments.
IPOB expressed their readiness to leave Nigeria peacefully and democratically to maintain good relations, but warned that if forced to exit violently, the resulting hostility could persist.
The statement continued, urging the Yoruba and their supporters to push President Tinubu to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and arrange a referendum for the Igbo to decide their future between Biafra and Nigeria. IPOB emphasized their desire for a peaceful departure and warned that threats of violence would not deter their resolve.
IPOB also criticized the current “EndBadGovernance” protests, claiming that they were organized by Yoruba and Fulani to entrap the Igbo, who have chosen not to participate to avoid being targeted. They expressed concern that had the Igbo participated, they might have faced even greater risks in the Northern and Western regions.
Highlighting the economic hardships imposed by Tinubu’s government, IPOB stated that despite facing similar difficulties, they avoided participation in protests to prevent further targeting. They noted parallels between current tensions and the events leading up to the Biafra war in 1967-1970, citing threats from both Western and Northern regions.
IPOB called on Igbo individuals in the North and West to return home swiftly and reaffirmed their commitment to their mission of restoring Biafra. They appealed to the international community, including Human Rights Organizations, the United Nations, the European Union, and the African Union, to recognize the existential threat facing the Igbo and Biafrans in Nigeria.
The group asserted that suppressing the demand for a Biafra referendum supports ongoing genocide against the Igbo. They drew parallels to past struggles and declared their determination to defend themselves. IPOB dismissed the arrest of “IgboMustGo” proponents as ineffectual and advised focusing efforts on persuading President Tinubu to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and schedule a Biafra referendum. They denounced the threats to expel the Igbo as signs of weakness and affirmed their readiness to leave Yoruba land and Nigeria if necessary.
