IPOB Ready For Dialogue On Biafra Peaceful Negotiations, And Referendum EASTERN PILOT| October 7, 2023 IPOB PRESS RELEASE We the ...
IPOB Ready For Dialogue On Biafra Peaceful Negotiations, And Referendum
EASTERN PILOT| October 7, 2023
IPOB
PRESS RELEASE
We the global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu wish to reiterate once again that IPOB remains peaceful and we remain open for negotiations and dialogue on the peaceful exit of Biafra from Nigeria through a UN-supervised Referendum.
IPOB's peaceful agitation for Biafra Independence started in 2012. Never has IPOB been associated with violence or criminality in all our years of rallies and protests. Nevertheless, Nigeria's government, through its murderous Security Forces, has levied war against IPOB. IPOB members have been brutally attacked while on a peaceful protest by the Nigeria Security Forces at many locations in Biafra Land. As a result of these unwarranted attacks, many IPOB members have been murdered in cold blood, some have been permanently handicapped, some forcefully disappeared by the Nigeria Security Forces and some are still illegally detained in various detention facilities across Nigeria. Many IPOB members and sympathizers have had their houses and businesses burnt by the Nigerian Security Forces. IPOB has lost over 5,000 members with properties worth over USD 1 billion as a result of the extreme use of force by the Nigerian Security Forces. Irrespective of all the provocations from the Nigeria State, IPOB has never retaliated nor have we taken up arms against the Nigeria State.
IPOB stands for peace.
We stand for dialogue, and we stand for discussions. The cardinal rule under
which IPOB was formed is to lead the way to a peaceful separation of Biafra
from Nigeria. Biafra and Nigeria are two different nations. The events from
1948 to 2023 have shown that it is practically impossible for Biafra and
Nigeria to coexist as one nation. IPOB has been calling on the Nigeria State
for discussions on a peaceful referendum date, but the Nigeria State always
returns the peaceful call with violent suppression. We have always maintained
that self-determination is our inalienable right according to the UN laws. We
remain committed to pursuing our self-determination peacefully according to
international laws and regulations.
However, the Nigerian
government's repressive approaches to stop the movement have led to the death
of over 6 million Biafrans since 1967 to date, yet that has not quenched the
desire for Biafrans to have their Independent State.
For emphasis's sake,
IPOB does NOT have an army and has never supported or authorized anyone
or any group to form an Army. What IPOB has is a vigilante group called Eastern
Security Network (ESN). ESN is an arm-bearing vigilante with a clear mandate of
securing our forest and dislodging Fulani terrorists nicknamed herdsmen who
were raping our women, killing our people, snatching cars, and destroying our
farmlands and crops. ESN is not in any way a military arm of IPOB but a
vigilante group.
IPOB is ready to meet with the Nigerian government any day they are ready for negotiations on the Biafra referendum. IPOB supports peaceful separation from the contraption formed by foreigners called Nigeria. We believe Biafra can be achieved without war and the shedding of innocent blood of Biafrans or Nigerians. We are bold to say that IPOB has never raised arms against the Nigeria State, but we have defended ourselves and our land against Fulani herdsmen and their supporters. IPOB has not shed any innocent blood and will not shed any innocent blood but will always defend itself against an attack from any quarter.
IPOB is ready for
dialogue on the Biafra referendum date and procedures. We want peace and are ever
ready to leave Nigeria in peace but not the peace of the graveyard. We remain
resolute and focused towards our goal, which is Biafra Independence via a
referendum. The earlier the Nigerian government schedules a referendum date for
Biafrans to decide their fate, the better for everyone.
This message represents the views of our leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU, IPOB leadership, and the global family members of IPOB.
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