The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has reacted to a statement by former governor of Anambra State, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, that Igbos are ready to do anything in order to get the opportunity to become Nigeria’s President come 2023.
KanyiDaily recalls that Ezeife said that Igbos are prepared to swallow their pride and “kneel down, prostrate, and beg” other Nigerians for the 2023 presidency.
In a statement by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, IPOB warned South-East leaders to refrain from making unguarded utterances that make the entire Igbo race a laughing stock by Northerners.
The group also called on Igbo politicians, elders, and traditional rulers including Ohaneze Ndigbo to focus on fighting for Biafra restoration, saying that the Northers will never allow or support any Igbo man to become President of Nigeria.
The statement reads, “The attention of the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under the command and leadership of our great leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has been drawn to the unpatriotic moves by some unreliable elders in Biafraland who are begging the Almajiri elders for President of Nigeria from Igbo stock in 2023.
“We want to make it categorically clear to desperate Igbo politicians both elders and self-acclaimed leaders that IPOB under Mazi Nnamdi KANU is not looking for any Nigerian President of Igbo extraction under the present contraption called Nigeria.
“Again, IPOB will never be a party to their begging and fawning for a transient political office at the detriment of our freedom. They must understand that our singular concern is the unconditional release of our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“If our elders think they can use IPOB and Nnamdi KANU to bargain their ways into political office then they are in for the shock of their life. We are keenly watching developments and taking record of them.
“Some self-appointed Igbo Leaders desperate for power in 2023 should refrain from making unguarded utterances that make the entire Igbo race a laughing stock by Northerners. It makes no sense to be desperate over the power shift in 2023 while illustrious Igbo son Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is still in detention.
“IPOB members that died did not die because of Igbo President of the Zoological Republic of Nigeria. What we need at this very point in time is the unconditional release of our Leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“It is better Igbo politicians, businessmen, elders, traditional rulers, religious leaders and acclaimed leaders including Ohaneze Ndigbo should retrace their steps and carry themselves with dignity at all times.
“They must realise that the Northern oligarchy and the Fulani cabal controlling Nigeria will never allow or support any Igbo man to become President of Nigeria. It doesn’t matter how such a stooge wishes to please them, they have bitterness against the Igbo. So, it’s better they focus on fighting for Biafra restoration.
“Any bargains against this divine mandate will not succeed. We call on Igbo politicians, elders and traditional rulers including Ohaneze Ndigbo to come back; there is no road in that path they are towing.”
KanyiDaily recalls that the Coalition of Northern Groups had also described Ezeife’s comment as nothing but deception, saying that Igbos have denied themselves the opportunity to be trusted with power in the near future.
