Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has said realisation of a Baifra republic is near.
He spoke against the backdrop of the sit-at-home on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 in the South East and some parts of the South South.
Also, Kanu and founder of Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike have also commended Ndigbo for the success of the sit-at-home.
Kanu also commended Biafrans, friends of Biafra World over for the success and total compliance of sit-at-home order declared to honour fallen heroes who died in the civil war between 1967 and 1970.
Speaking through IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, Kanu said he was encouraged by the compliance and vowed that he would stop at nothing in ensuring that the South East is liberated from the stranglehold of their oppressors.
He thanked “friends of Biafra and lovers of freedom all over the world for their tenacious efforts that made our heroes day sit-at-home order a resounding success.
“I will not fail to thank road transport workers, teachers, civil servants, market leaders, artisans, clergymen, businessmen, traders, Okada/tricycle drivers, school children, parents, transport owners, women organisations, community leaders, youth leaders in every community, wheel barrow/truck pushers, politicians and all Biafraland, who defied every odd and pressure from Aso Rock to make our sit-at-home order a memorable and resounding historical event.
“In line with this remarkable sit-at-home held on Tuesday, I will not hesitate to congratulate the people of Abia, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Rivers states including the good people of Igbanke in Edo State, Igala clan in Kogi State and Idoma/Igede/Agatu in Benue State for sending a clear and unmistakable message to the world that this Biafra self-determination effort driven by IPOB is uncompromising.
The fact that our people obeyed the order to sit at home is confirmation that IPOB, which I lead has the mandate of all Biafrans to spearhead the ongoing Biafra restoration effort. Special thanks goes to my deputy, Mazi Uche Mefor, our Directorate of State, led by Mazi Chika Edoziem and the indescribably incredible IPOB family all over the world.
“I thank those in the Diaspora who poured themselves into the streets in distant and foreign lands in more than 98 countries of the world to honour and remember our fallen heroes and heroines who paid the ultimate price during the genocidal war against our people between 1967 and 1970. I appreciate your enormous work because IPOB has made it possible in less than four years for every president and head of state around the world to know about Biafra.
“Biafra restoration is a priority to all and sundry and I promise never to let Biafra down even upon the pain of death because you never let me down. I also wish to acknowledge and appreciate the presence of international observers and foreign journalists who were on ground to monitor this epic historical event. It demonstrates that the unique formula adopted by IPOB to restore Biafra is working. By the grace of Almighty God, (Chukwu Okike Abiama), IPOB, under our divine leadership, will restore Biafra in no distant future.”
On his part, Uwazuruike said the major aim is the independent state of Biafra and freedom for the entire people of former eastern region. He said this in Owerri, capital of Imo State, yesterday, when he briefed newsmen in his residence, where he disclosed that the first sit -at – home ordered by the pro-Biafra group was in 2004.
“There is nothing else that we are agitating for, except for Biafra independence and until that is achieved, we will not chicken out of the struggle for Biafra freedom.”
He revealed that his “major aim of starting MASSOB is not to become the president” and urged all pro-Biafra groups to “focus on the main objective which is the actualisation of the sovereign state of Biafra.”
IPOB leader dares court on bail conditions
For the second time in three days, Kanu has violated the conditions of the bail granted to him.
Part of his bail conditions was that he would not grant media interviews and to avoid being seen in a crowd of more than 10 people.
But, last Saturday, Kanu addressed a crowd of supporters, numbering more than 10, at his father’s palace in Abia State.
Kanu’s father is the traditional ruler of Isiama Afara, a community in Umuahia, capital of Abia. Three days after addressing his supporters, Al Jazeera published an interview where Kanu was quoted as saying the bail conditions were too stringent. Asked if the interview could get him into trouble, he was quoted to have said: “I don’t care.”
He also lamented the effect of the restrictions imposed on him.
“It’s like asking me not to breathe. I can’t go outside to call for a press conference. I can’t go on Biafra Radio to broadcast. I can’t allow large groups of people to basically congregate outside to see me.”
Meanwhile, the South East Peoples Assembly (SEPA) has called on the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to revoke the bail granted to leader of IPOB, Kanu. Justice Binta Nyako had, on April 25, 2017 admitted Kanu to bail on health grounds.
In her ruling, Justice Nyako said Kanu must not hold rallies, grant interviews or be in a crowd of more than 10 people.
The judge, however, refused bail to the three other defendants standing trial for treasonable felony and other sundry offences with Kanu, namely Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.
However, in a May 31, 2017 letter to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, signed by SEPA president, Prince Chukwuemeka Okorie, the group said “Kanu has continued to conduct himself in a manner we consider totally at variance with the terms and conditions of the bail.”
In a related development, Anglican Bishop, Diocese of Okigwe South, Rt. Rev. David Onuoha has called on the Federal Government to dialogue with pro – Biafra groups, saying it will enable government to understand why after 47 years of the end of the civil war, the idea and glamour for the state of Biafra seems to be gaining fresh momentum.
The prelate stated this yesterday while delivering his address at the Third Session of the Eighth Synod of the Diocese held at St. Stephens Church, Umuduruegwelle, Ehime Mbano Local Council of Imo State, yesterday.
He said dialogue would be a better approach to addressing the obvious injustice, marginalisation, suffering and hardship the South East geo-political zone.
Source:sun
