The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) says it wants a
referendum on self-determination for the south-east of Nigeria not asylum.
A referendum is a vote on which the citizens of a country
give their opinion or decide an important political question. Territorial
referendum could lead to breakaway of a region from a country.
The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) released new guidelines
on how to treat asylum applications by members of Biafran secessionist groups.
In the guidelines, asylum is to be granted to “persecuted” members of the proscribed IPOB and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).
But in a swift response, the federal government said the
plan by the UK to grant the group asylum undermines Nigeria’s security.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Emma Powerful, IPOB media
and publicity secretary, said while the group appreciates the gesture from the
UK, what members need is a referendum not asylum.
“We the global family of the Indigenous People of Biafra
(IPOB) ably led by our great and indomitable leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has noted
with satisfaction the news that the United Kingdom has agreed to grant asylum
to persecuted Biafra agitators resident in the UK,” he said.
“While we commend them for this bold initiative, we wish to
most graciously remind them that what we Biafrans need and cherish the most is
referendum and not asylum in the UK.
“We are tired of living in bondage in the devilish
contraption called Nigeria they single-handedly created.
“We would not wish our children, now and generations unborn,
to share the same geo-political space with those that reward terrorists and
criminalize law abiding citizens.
“We particularly thank the UK government for confirming what
the rest of the civilized world already know that the great IPOB worldwide
family are not terrorists but peaceful agitators and freedom fighters.
“That Nigeria is a
country run by terrorists for the benefit of terrorists has been confirmed by
this noble move by the United Kingdom.
“Aso Rock, the seat of power in Nigeria is a terrorist haven
with serving ministers who are openly sympathetic to terrorists and their
activities coming and going as they please, while freedom fighters are
languishing in jail. We want freedom not asylum.”
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