We are asking for freedom — NOT war, says IPOB

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) says it is asking for self determination and not war as is being perceived in some quarters.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by Emma Powerful, its media and publicity secretary, the group said its mission is being misconstrued by many Nigerians.

It said the only instrument at its disposal in its struggle for the sovereign state of Biafra is civil disobedience.

It also said its struggle was legitimate and recognised by international laws.

The group further described Nnamdi Kanu, its leader, as a “peaceful” man whose goal is to liberate the Igbo from “humiliation and bondage.”

“It is fair to assume, going by the utterances of certain corrupt segments of the Nigerian society that most of what IPOB is saying and stands for is lost in translation because anybody with basic understanding of rudimentary English and constitutional law will know that self-determination does not mean war and that referendum is not hate- speech,” the statement read.

“Again, when badly educated and ill-informed people dabble into a discipline above them, such mistakes are bound to happen.

“We would like to use this opportunity to clarify once again that IPOB is asking for self-determination as recognised in both the United Nations Charter on the Rights of Indigenous People and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.

“Before these unity beggars threaten us with war that IPOB hasn’t called for, let them spend a bit of their valuable time acquainting themselves with these charters and declarations.

“The only instrument IPOB has at its disposal is civil disobedience, which is entirely legal. Civil disobedience, it must be understood and be said, has nothing to do with armed conflict.

“Furthermore, people should be advised to study and assimilate the subtleties and nuances of English language before engaging in any public discussion regarding Biafra independence.

“Our leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is a peaceful man that constituted IPOB with peaceful foundation and the sole aim is to liberate his people from humiliation and bondage.”