IPOB insists on Biafra actualisation, prints 40m ballot papers for referendum

Despite being proscribed and tagged a terrorist organisation by the Nigerian Government, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), appear resolute in its agitation for Biafra as an independent state from Nigeria.

The group on Tuesday announced that it has printed 40 million ballot papers it said is to be used in the first phase of the referendum by the people of South-East, and others in South-South.

It also included some parts of the North Central, it claims are part of Biafra.

The media and publicity secretary of IPOB, Emma Powerful, who revealed this in a statement, explained that the result of the exercise would direct IPOB on its future operations in the country.

“We the IPOB wish to bring to the attention of the world that plans are at advanced stages in preparation for the first in our three-stage referendum process towards the peaceful, non-violent restoration of the nation of Biafra.

“Our decision to hold the first of the three plebiscite later this year has vindicated IPOB’s resilience in sticking to the principles of non-violent agitation for Biafra, in the face of government brutality and treachery from enemies within.

“Efforts geared towards this first referendum is gathering unstoppable momentum with dates for the exercise to be announced imminently. Forty million ballot papers are being printed and readied for distribution to every clan and village in Biafraland for all adults over the age of 18 to express their preference.

“Through this age-old democratic process, IPOB shall return power to the long suffering, down trodden masses, to enable them determine their destiny which was cruelly taken away by successive Nigerian governments. This massive consultation exercise, will guide all future IPOB activities and hopefully, address the issue of lack of wider participation by the people which some Nigerian government agents within have often cited as their reason for working against the emergence of Biafra.

“Those that set out to mislead the populace by equating IPOB’s call for referendum as a call for war, in order to mask their betrayal of the people, will no doubt find another reason or excuse to object to this upcoming plebiscite.

“It is worth reminding Ohanaeze Ndigbo and their likes that on the 11th February 1961, Nigeria conducted a referendum for the people of Southern Cameroon to determine whether they wish to be part of Nigeria or merge with the Francophone northern Cameroon.

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“This referendum resulted in the peaceful secession of the then NCNC controlled Anglophone Cameroon from Nigeria. In other words, they voted to leave Nigeria for good. That was democracy in action not war,” the statement read in part.

The Federal Government had in 2017 proscribed the group after the Nigerian Militarily allegedly invaded the home of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and reportedly killed several persons at his premises and Umuahia during an operation in the South-East code named “Operation Python Dance 11.”

Kanu has remained missing since the alleged invasion of his home, but his members have been trying to sustain the agitation in his absence despite being proscribed.

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