NEWS
IPOB Calls For Referendum, Claims Igbo Are Ready To Exit Nigeria
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has strongly condemned the “IgboMustGo” campaign being promoted in the South-West, calling for a referendum on the Igbo’s potential secession.
Emma Powerful, IPOB’s Director of Media and Publicity disclosed this in a statement released on Monday.
They criticized South-Western authorities for their dismissive attitude toward the campaign and its supporters, asserting that the Igbo community remains resolute and unafraid.
Read Also: Music Made Me Lose My Virginity – Ed Sheeran
IPOB claims that the campaign is backed by prominent figures in both the Lagos State and Federal Governments, and they advise Southerners to be wary of developments in the South-Western region.
The statement read, “Following the provocative and genocidal “IgboMustGo” proposed protest slated to commence from August 20-30th 2024, by some faceless Yoruba groups and persons, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) wish to remind the Yoruba anti-Igbo groups that Ndigbo are ready to exit Yoruba land and Nigeria via a referendum. Ndigbo will not succumb to any threat from any group or persons to leave any state or region in Nigeria.
“It is laughable that the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was reported to have hypnotically condemned the proponents of the “Igbo Must Go” protest.
“The Governor will not hoodwink Ndigbo with his hypocritical condemnation of those calling for Igbos’ expulsion from the South West Region of Nigeria. The governor was the first to ethnically profile Ndigbo with his biased demolition of Ndigbo’s businesses, properties, and investments in Lagos State.
“There is a high chance that the proponents of the “IgboMustGo” are sponsored by high-profile persons in the Lagos State Government and the Federal Government.
“Nevertheless, Ndigbo are not perturbed. We have seen it all in Nigeria and are prepared for any opportunity to exit Nigeria at any time.
“But it will be more appropriate for us to be allowed to exit Nigeria peacefully and democratically in order to maintain good neighbourly relationships.
“However, if Ndigbo is forced to exit Nigeria violently, there’s a possibility that we shall remain hostile neighbors for the foreseeable future.
“The Yoruba tribal bigots and their sponsors must understand that Ndigbo is not moved by threat. We have made up our minds to exit Nigeria, so there is no basis for the threat of violence or genocide agenda tagged “IgboMustGo” protest.
“Instead of threatening to unconstitutionally and violently force Ndigbo out of the Yoruba region, they should tell President Tinubu, their brother, to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and to organise a referendum for Ndigbo to decide between Biafra and Nigeria. We will gladly vote and leave Nigeria and the Yoruba region in peace. We are demanding this so they can have peace after we are gone. Ndigbo is more enthusiastic about exiting Nigeria than it was in the 1960s.
“The ongoing “EndBadGovernance” protest in Nigeria was organized by Yoruba and Fulani to lure Ndigbo into destruction, but Ndigbo has learned their lessons. Though, Ndigbo declined to participate in the ongoing protests, yet they are being attacked and accused of being behind the protest. One can imagine what would have become of Ndigbo in the Northern and Western Regions if they had taken part in the ongoing protest. Ndigbo has always been a victim of every protest in Nigeria.
“Though Ndigbo is facing the same economic hardship that Tinubu’s government has imposed on Nigerians, however, to avoid being targeted as always, they decided to shun the protest. The scenario that led to the genocidal war against Biafrans in 1967-1970 is rearing its ugly head. Ndigbo is not only facing existential threats from the Western region but also from the Northern regions.
“We are calling Ndigbo in the North and West to think home as fast as possible. No amount of threat will make IPOB retreat from our divine mandate of restoring Biafra.
Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has said a “new, albeit far better, Nigeria is achievable,” urging Nigerians to remain committed to building a country worthy of the sacrifices of its founding fathers and the trust of future generations.
Sani stated this in his Independence Day message on Thursday as Nigeria marked its 66th anniversary.
The governor described Nigeria as “the world’s most populous black nation, a source of African pride and a beacon of possibility,” saying its cultural richness, human ingenuity and resilience had sustained the country through difficult periods.
SEE MORE: S’Court Affirms Uba Sani As Kaduna Governor
He expressed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, saying the government’s responsibility was to ensure prosperity reaches households and create opportunities for children.
On security, Sani said, “A farmer must be able to cultivate his land, a trader open her shop and a child attend school without fear.”
He urged Nigerians to embrace their diversity, saying, “Our diversity is our strength,” while calling on citizens to reject prejudice and attempts to turn differences into division.
The governor also stressed accountability in public service.
“We shall ultimately account for our stewardship before Almighty God,” he said, urging public officials to act with wisdom, integrity and compassion.
He added: “The authority entrusted to us obliges us to serve faithfully, protect public resources and leave our communities better than we found them.”
Sani also said democracy must deliver tangible benefits to citizens, including “security, opportunity and wellbeing.”
He wished Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary and prayed for peace, prosperity and stronger national unity.
Former federal lawmaker, Shehu Sani, has described Nigeria as a resilient nation that has continued to survive various challenges and periods of turbulence.
Sani stated this in an Independence Day message shared on X on Thursday as Nigeria marked its 66th anniversary of independence.
READ MORE: ‘Another Speech to Tell Us, It Is Well’ — Oseni Rufai Reacts to Tinubu’s Address
He said no nation exists without challenges, noting that while some countries had failed to survive difficult periods, Nigeria had continued to overcome its own storms and turbulence.
According to him, Nigeria has a history of overcoming obstacles and prevailing against the odds.
Sani acknowledged that the country may not have met the expectations of those who wished it well or believed in it, but said Nigeria had also continued to disappoint pessimistic predictions about its future.
He added that the country had also defied the expectations of what he described as its foes and “prophets of doom.”
“Nigeria; A resilient nation with nine lives,” Sani wrote as he congratulated the country on its 66th Independence Anniversary.
Nigerian media personality Oseni Rufai has reacted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Independence Day address, expressing concern over the hardship being experienced by Nigerians.
Rufai shared his reaction in a post on X on Thursday, shortly after Tinubu addressed Nigerians as the country marked its 66th Independence Anniversary.
“Another speech to tell us, ‘It is well’,” Rufai wrote.
SEE ALSO: Reno Omokri Praises Tinubu’s Independence Day Address, Says Nigeria Is in ‘Sound Hands’
He then criticised what he described as the country’s political class, saying the situation was different for ordinary Nigerians facing economic difficulties.
“It is only well with the glutinous political class,” he added.
Rufai concluded his post with a direct appeal to the President.
“Nigerians are suffering, President Tinubu heal Nigeria,” he wrote.
His comments came after Tinubu, in his Independence Day address, defended his administration’s economic reforms and outlined measures aimed at moving Nigeria from what he described as an era of reform into an era of prosperity.
Independence Day: ‘A New, Far Better Nigeria Is Achievable’ — Uba Sani
Nigerians Must Rise, Reject Inducement and Intimidation at Polls — PDP Chairman
Independence Day: Nigeria Is a Resilient Nation With Nine Lives — Shehu Sani
‘Another Speech to Tell Us, It Is Well’ — Oseni Rufai Reacts to Tinubu’s Address
Reno Omokri Praises Tinubu’s Independence Day Address, Says Nigeria Is in ‘Sound Hands’
Nigeria Must Cut Farm-to-Market Losses to Bring Down Food Prices – Tinubu
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
