Debunking PeacePro’s Misinformation: The Vital Role of IPOB in the Biafra Restoration Movement EASTERN PILOT : June 13, 2025. By BiafraFirs...
Debunking PeacePro’s Misinformation: The Vital Role of IPOB in the Biafra Restoration Movement
EASTERN PILOT: June 13, 2025.
By BiafraFirstSon
Introduction
On June 9, 2025, the Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeacePro), a self-proclaimed Nigerian think tank, released a statement via its Executive Director, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, lambasting the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. PeacePro accused IPOB of “militant rhetoric and dedicated public hate and misinformation,” claiming these have rendered a political solution to Kanu’s prolonged detention impossible and inflicted “deep pain” on communities.
This narrative is not only riddled with distortions but also conveniently sidesteps the historical context, widespread support, and indispensable role IPOB plays in the pursuit of Biafra restoration.
This article dismantles PeacePro’s misinformation with facts and evidence, showcasing IPOB’s good work and underscoring how, without it, the Biafra people might have been effectively silenced and subjugated within Nigeria.
IPOB: A Voice for the Voiceless, Not a Source of Pain
PeacePro’s assertion that IPOB has brought “deep pain to communities” and “damaged the cause” of Biafra restoration is a blatant misrepresentation. Far from being a destructive force, IPOB has emerged as a lifeline for the Igbo people in southeastern Nigeria, a region long plagued by marginalization and systemic neglect. The group’s advocacy for self-determination seeks to restore identity, dignity, and historical recognition to a population that has endured decades of oppression within the Nigerian state.
The historical roots of this struggle are undeniable. The Nigeria-Biafra civil war (1967–1970) saw up to four million lives lost, largely due to ethnic tensions and the Nigerian government’s failure to address Igbo grievances. The wounds from that conflict have never fully healed, and secessionist sentiment has simmered ever since. IPOB has channeled this sentiment into a structured movement, giving voice to a people who might otherwise remain voiceless.
Evidence of this support is clear in the widespread observance of sit-at-home protests across the southeast such as the Biafra Day commemoration where residents voluntarily stay home in solidarity with IPOB’s cause. These actions reflect not coercion, but a collective stand against injustice, directly contradicting PeacePro’s claim of “fear” and “coercion.”
Without IPOB, the Biafra people would lack a unified platform to challenge Nigeria’s systemic inequities. As one observer noted, while many Igbo intellectuals have shied away from confronting the government, “only Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is taking the pain to roll in the mud” for the cause. This resilience has kept the dream of Biafra alive, preventing the complete cultural and political subjugation of the Biafrans within Nigeria.
The Myth of Militant Rhetoric and Violence
PeacePro brands IPOB’s rhetoric as “militant” and its agitation as “violent,” but these accusations crumble under scrutiny. IPOB has consistently emphasized its commitment to peaceful means, with members asserting, “IPOB members have never killed anybody; they have never raped any woman or butchered any child in the name of Biafra.” The group has publicly distanced itself from violent acts, focusing instead on legal and diplomatic efforts to advance its goals.
Nnamdi Kanu himself is widely regarded as a “prisoner of conscience,” detained on charges such as terrorism and inciting violence that many view as fabricated by the Federal Government to suppress dissent.
The sit-at-home protests, often cited by the government as evidence of IPOB’s disruptive influence, are a form of non-violent resistance. While they halt economic activity in the southeast, they demonstrate the depth of public support for IPOB’s cause, not a campaign of hate or violence.
PeacePro’s portrayal of these actions as “militant” ignores their peaceful nature and the grassroots solidarity they inspire.
Debunking the Political Solution Fallacy
PeacePro insists that IPOB’s actions have made a political solution to Kanu’s detention “impossible,” leaving only the judicial process as an option. This claim is both shortsighted and misleading.
The judicial process itself is marred by irregularities Kanu’s arrest and extradition have been criticized as illegal, with the UK government facing calls to intervene. This international dimension suggests that a political resolution remains viable, contrary to PeacePro’s assertion.
Domestically, there are signs of political will as well. The Anambra State Government, for instance, has refuted claims that Governor Chukwuma Soludo opposes Kanu’s release, while Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a prominent Igbo socio-cultural organization, has labeled Kanu’s detention “unjust and unacceptable” and demanded his freedom. These developments indicate that IPOB’s advocacy has not foreclosed political avenues but rather amplified the urgency of addressing Kanu’s plight and the broader Biafra question.
The Indispensable Role of IPOB
PeacePro’s most glaring omission is its failure to recognize IPOB’s critical role in the Biafra restoration movement. Without IPOB, the Biafran people would be left without a formidable advocate against Nigeria’s oppressive policies. The group’s efforts have not only sustained the Biafra cause but also had a profound psychological impact, restoring a sense of pride and identity to a marginalized population.
This cultural reclamation is as vital as any political gain, yet PeacePro dismisses it entirely.
The historical context further underscores IPOB’s importance. The colonial legacy and the principle of uti possidetis which locked modern Nigeria’s borders despite ethnic disparities created the conditions for today’s unrest. IPOB’s struggle is a direct response to these injustices, a continuation of a fight that began long before its formation. By ignoring this, PeacePro oversimplifies the issue and wrongly pins the blame on IPOB alone.
Exposing PeacePro’s Misinformation
PeacePro’s statement is steeped in misinformation. It paints IPOB as a reckless agitator while glossing over the Nigerian government’s role in escalating tensions through Kanu’s detention and the suppression of peaceful dissent. It accuses IPOB of “dedicated public hate,” yet offers no concrete examples beyond vague references to broadcasts broadcasts that, in context, are calls for resistance, not hatred. It urges IPOB to “surrender all militant activities,” despite the group’s repeated disavowal of violence. This rhetoric smacks of a deliberate attempt to delegitimize a movement that threatens the status quo.
Moreover, PeacePro’s call for “peace” rings hollow when it fails to address the root causes of the Biafra agitation decades of marginalization, economic neglect, and unaddressed atrocities. True peace requires justice, not the silencing of a people’s voice.
Conclusion
PeacePro’s attack on IPOB and Nnamdi Kanu is a masterclass in distortion, cherry-picking facts to vilify a movement while ignoring its noble aims and achievements. The evidence is clear: IPOB is a force for good in the pursuit of Biafra restoration, providing hope, unity, and resistance against oppression. Without it, the Biafra people would be at risk of being conquered culturally, politically, and historically within a Nigeria that has shown little regard for their rights. The path forward lies not in scapegoating IPOB, but in addressing the deep seated grievances that fuel its struggle. PeacePro would do well to redirect its energies toward advocating for dialogue and justice, rather than peddling misinformation.
Published By BiafraFirstSon
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