Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the
Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has called off the election boycott in the
south-east region of the country.
In an audio message, Kanu also asked the Igbo to come out in their numbers and vote during
Saturday’s presidential election.
Kanu had been calling on the Igbo
to boycott any election held in Nigeria until the government agrees to a referendum
regarding IPOB’s quest for a sovereign state of Biafra.
On Wednesday, just two days ago,
he told BBC Igbo that IPOB will ‘shut down’ the south-east and ensure voting
does not take place in the area.
WHAT CHANGED NOW?
In the broadcast obtained Thursday
night, Kanu said unnamed individuals have met the demands given by the group
before any election could be held in the south-east.
He said: “Earlier today, February
14, 2019, I received confirmation from our team that all of our pre-conditions
played before those kicking off to call off the elections have been met. And in
view of that, I hereby lift the boycott of elections.
“IPOB was very steadfast, we have
fought a very good battle; we have made it very clear to all and sundry that we
are very determined and this is victory for IPOB and for the emancipation of
Biafra.”
Kanu expressed hope that those
who agreed to the group’s demands will implement them.
He asked the Igbo to spread the
“good news” but added the group’s resolve remains the same: a sovereign state
of Biafra.
“We said it from the beginning,
nobody should expect us to participate in any form of elections unless our
demands are met. And I am glad to tell you that they have acceded to our
demands and it will be fully implemented,” he said.
“I therefore ask each and
everyone of you to take this good news to all our towns and villages that the
boycott has been lifted. And we will all go about on the 16th of February to
discharge whatever duties we have or whatever beliefs … for groups and
individuals.
“Never again will they take IPOB
for granted, and never again will people underrate our resolve. We have showed
it to them and we shall continue to demonstrate it until Biafra republic is
restored. I thank you very much and may God be with you.”
It is not clear who the IPOB
leader is rooting for in Saturday’s presidential election.
But it is obvious neither of the
two front line candidates – President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives
Congress (APC) and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – has
his support.
While he claims Buhari is “dead”
and being replaced by a “clone” in Aso Rock, he says Abubakar is a Cameroonian
by birth and does not have the constitutional right to run for president.
Only idiots will believe this Kanu guy who is chilling abroad and asking igbos to risk their lives here in Nigeria.
ReplyDeleteSurely money has exchanged hands!
Can you duffsu like he did and risk your life?
DeleteThis is the worst ethnic leader in history.
ReplyDeleteIf truly a candidate/party has agreed to their terms and conditions, why can't he mention the candidate/party so that his followers will know who to vote for.
ReplyDelete