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The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has reiterated its position that elections will be boycotted across the South-East and other areas it refers to as “Biafraland” if the appeal against the conviction of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is not listed and heard.
The group also accused Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah of allegedly using political thugs to disrupt opposition activities in the state, while condemning the reported deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
IPOB stated this in a weekly address signed by Chris Nwaogu, Head of the Fourth Administration of its Directorate of State (DOS).
Reacting to an alleged attack on members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) during a rally in Ndiuno-Obuoffia, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, on September 12, Nwaogu said the group opposed political violence and intimidation.
He alleged that opposition gatherings in the state had been disrupted, with reports of shootings and destruction of canopies and chairs.
“IPOB is against every form of violence,” Nwaogu said, warning that political violence should not be attributed to the pro-Biafra group.
On the 2027 elections, Nwaogu said IPOB would maintain its boycott position unless the Federal Government ensures that Kanu’s appeal is listed and heard.
He stressed that the proposed boycott should not be interpreted as a call for violence or disruption of political rallies.
According to him, IPOB’s position would be reviewed only if the government takes steps to have Kanu’s appeal heard.
“If they refuse, there will be a total boycott of the coming elections across Biafraland and beyond,” he said.
IPOB also condemned the reported deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners held in NSCDC custody in Minna, Niger State, demanding accountability over the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
The group alleged that some survivors reported overcrowding and poor ventilation in the detention facility, while protesters who gathered over the incident were allegedly met with gunfire.
Nwaogu also cited what he described as international efforts concerning Kanu’s detention, including a reported communication to the United Nations by Israeli Knesset member Afef Abed concerning the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention’s Opinion No. 25/2022.
He said the opinion had called for remedies over Kanu’s detention, including his release, compensation and an investigation into his rendition from Kenya.
IPOB further maintained that the freedom of Kanu and other detained members, alongside its campaign for Biafra, remained its central objectives.
The group also rejected claims of divisions within its ranks, alleging that attempts to create factions were aimed at weakening the organisation.
