Efforts by the Igbo social cultural group, Ohaneze Ndigbo to negotiate the release of detained Director of Radio Biafra and founder of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu may have hit the rocks, as IPOB, on Sunday, claimed that the embattled Kanu has vowed to die in prison rather than allow Ohaneze and its youth wing claim glory for his release.
IPOB, also said that nobody represents the group except its leaders or designated individuals, warning those claiming to be representing it, including members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and its youth wing to stop such moves.
This was contained in a statement signed by its United Kingdom spokesmen, Dr Clifford Iroanya and Emma Mmezu, a lawyer.
“We are in court and our wish is to expose the fraudulent charge of treasonable felony before the whole world. At the end of this case, the corrupt and compromised segment of the Nigerian judiciary will be publicly disgraced.
“Our march to freedom is unstoppable; this is something Buhari ought to know. We have come to die for Biafra if that is what it will take to be free. Our resolve should not be underestimated. As our leader will always say, “Nigeria will kill us, we will kill them but in the end, we will win.”
The group was reacting to allegations that some people thought to be members of Ohaneze Ndigbo and their youth wing, claimed to be representing IPOB in a meeting with some American officials who were in Nigeria to have a meeting with the group on the release of their leader.
According to IPOB, a negotiation for the release of Kanu would need the designated presence and contribution of IPOB members, but they were not informed.
“The people went ahead to speak for IPOB when they do not have the power and authorization of the group to speak for them.
“People alleged to be members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Ohanaeze Youth wing were said to have met with some Americans at Nike Lake Resort Hotel between 6pm and 7pm Saturday evening.”
“If any country or group is coming to Nigeria to discuss anything concerning IPOB and the release or freedom of our incarcerated leader and Director of Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnandi Kanu, it is not Ohanaeze Ndigbo or their youth wing that will speak for us because they are not our members and so, cannot represent or speak for us.
We urged the Americans who came for the meeting that the alleged representatives of IPOB did not represent or have our support. Nobody speaks or represents IPOB except its principal and designated officers.
“We want to use this opportunity to tell the Americans that came and the world that the people who claimed to have represented IPOB in the meeting were impostors, they are not members of IPOB, they are the usual Ohanaeze contractors who will always condemn IPOB, but will be fast to hijack anything good that is coming to the South East states through IPOB. They do not have our support and will never represent us in anything”, the statement read.
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