IPOB insists Biafra declaration already made by Ojukwu in 1967, seeks UN-supervised referendum
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Biafra declaration in faraway Finland by the Simon Ekpa’s group on November 29 is a nullity, says the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), insisting that the historical declaration made by Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu in 1967 stands for life, and the current struggle is meant only to restore the sovereignty of independence.
Ekpa, the self-appointed Prime Minister of Biafra, has been arrested in Finland, where he is a citizen, over alleged terrorist activities in Nigeria his place of birth. There is reportedly no extradition treaty between Nigeria and the European country.
IPOB based in the South East rejected the purported Biafra declaration in Finland coordinated by the self-styled Chief of Staff to the Biafra Republic Government in-Exile (BRGIE), Ngozi Orabueze.
A statement issued at the weekend by IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful dismissed the pronouncement as a deception floated by an infamous and unknown group because no declaration can be made to supersede the one done by Ojukwu, who died in 2011.
“IPOB wishes to commend responsible media organizations and social media bloggers in Nigeria and the diaspora who refrained from giving attention to the mockery of the Biafra struggle by infiltrators in Finland and elsewhere,” the statement said.
“However, it is imperative to inform the international community, Biafrans, friends of Biafra, and lovers of Biafra freedom that Biafra was declared by our eternal leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, in 1967.
“What IPOB is doing is restoring the sovereignty of the declared Biafra Independence, which was forced to surrender through genocide by the Nigerian and British governments.
“IPOB is calling for a UN-supervised referendum for Biafrans so that the declared sovereignty can be restored. Biafra cannot be declared for the second time by anyone.
“It is sad that some unscrupulous elements who failed in their mission to infiltrate and destroy IPOB engaged in the jamboree they claimed was Biafra’s second declaration outside the Biafra territory. Biafrans and IPOB, in particular, are happy that the fanfare staged by the infiltrators in Finland this weekend was ignored by all responsible media organizations.
“Those involved in the event in Finland were among the sponsors of insecurity in the South East Region. Their agenda is to destabilize the South East, divide the people, and divert the attention of Biafrans and those sympathetic to the Biafra struggle, making the genuine Biafra struggle unattractive to our people. They failed woefully.”
Nnamdi Kanu’s refusal to make a new Biafra declaration
“In the past, the leader of IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, was pressured by enemies within and without to declare Biafra a second time, but he refused. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a brilliant freedom fighter who understands the seasons, times, and rules governing self-determination.
“When those enemies failed to push Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB into an untimely and unnecessary Biafra declaration, they joined the Finland group to destroy IPOB. They have already celebrated their foolishness with what they called Biafra declaration in Finland last weekend.
“IPOB is an informed movement championing the restoration of Biafra sovereignty and freedom. It cannot involve itself in self-deception or scamming people with the Biafra project. All those involved in the illusion and self-deception called Biafra declaration in Finland are criminals, uninformed, and fake agents.
“Only fools rush where angels fear to tread. The Biafra struggle is a matter of the spirit because blood has been shed and sacrifices made for this ultimate project. Any person, nation, or group obstructing the restoration of Biafra will pay a heavy price.
“The Autopilot criminals making money from their ignorant followers and mocking the Biafra struggle internationally will pay a price. IPOB will not come after them, but the blood of Biafra’s fallen heroes will chase and hunt them down.
“Therefore, Biafrans, friends of Biafra, and lovers of Biafra freedom must understand that the shambolic declaration of Biafra Independence in the faraway land of Finland is a scam. Those who funded infiltrators who gathered for a picnic in Finland have been scammed.
“Now that these infiltrators and agents provocateurs have declared their independence in Finland, we hope they will enjoy their freedom and stop interfering with IPOB’s peaceful struggle and engagement for the restoration of Biafra Nation.”
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