The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has reiterated that no Igbo speaking part of the country will take part in the proposed June 12 Democracy Day protest across the country.
While organizers of the proposed protest have called on Nigerians, irrespective of tribe and religion to join in the protest that rejects the lingering suffering and hardship that has trailed the federal government’s anti-people policies, IPOB has called on the people of the South East to not only stay away from the proposed protest, but shun the celebration of June 12, Democracy Day as declared by the federal government.
Spokesperson of the group, Emma Powerful, noted in a statement that May 30 remains a historic day for the Igbo, adding that they will not observe June 12 unless the federal government respects and recognises Biafra Heroes Day.
Powerful explained that the Senator Mbata led Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership remains the authentic and recognized leadership of the apex Igbo socio political body, even as he warned that Okechukwu Ishiguzoro must desist from parading himself as the leader on Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
He said, “We call on all Biafrans to ignore any call for participation in June 12-related events. Until Nigeria learns to respect and honour May 30th, our sacred Biafran Remembrance Day, we shall not partake in their selective history or skewed national rituals.
“This is not just about IPOB. This is about our dignity, our truth, and our right to define who we are,” Powerful explained.
The pro-Biafra group emphasized that Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has no faction as it disowns some individuals parading themselves as authentic members of the organisation.
“We shall no longer tolerate these insulting charades in the name of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. IPOB wishes to categorically dissociate the entire Igbo nation and the Biafra freedom movement from the recent shameful utterances made by one Okechukwu Isiguzoro in the name of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
“We state for the record that Okechukwu Isiguzoro is unknown to the Igbo race as representing any recognized wing or faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. Ohanaeze is not factionalized. The notion of a ‘factional’ Ohanaeze exists only in the minds of hungry political errand boys doing the bidding of their Abuja slave masters.
“These inconsequential elements neither represent the Igbo people nor speak for Ndigbo. It is appalling that these buffoons masquerading as leaders of a non-existent faction continue their coordinated efforts to give the impression that the Igbo race is disoriented or lacks cohesion. This is a calculated insult to our heritage and identity.
“They are also woefully ignorant of Igbo history. The recent claim that Igboland exists in only seven states of Nigeria is an outrageous falsehood. Igbo-speaking people are indigenous to 13 states of this British-created contraption called Nigeria. Any attempt to shrink our ancestral footprint is an unforgivable betrayal.