IPOB to Buhari: Begin atonement for your sins by releasing Nnamdi Kanu

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has criticised President Muhmmadu Buhari over his recent comments on remission.

While speaking during the Sallah celebration, Buhari asked Nigerians to forgive him in any way he has wronged them, saying “all those that I have hurt, I ask that they pardon me”.

“God gave me an incredible opportunity to serve the country. We are all humans, if I have hurt some people along the line of my service to the country, I ask that they pardon me,” the president said.

“I think it is a good coincidence for me to say goodbye to you, and thank you for tolerating me for almost eight years.”

Reacting in a statement issued on Wednesday, Emma Powerful, IPOB spokesperson, said Buhari’s “sins” are unforgivable.

“To us in IPOB, his sins are unpardonable,” the statement reads.

The proscribed Indigenous group alleged that many IPOB members have been killed under the Buhari administration, while over “2,523 innocent citizens” in the south-east have been “illegally” detained.

“Which of the sins he committed does he want to be forgiven? Does he really want Nigerians to forgive him? As long as IPOB is concerned, the sins he masterminded and implemented are unforgivable,” he said.

IPOB asked Buhari to “begin appeasement” for his “numerous sins against Biafrans” by releasing Kanu unconditionally as ruled by the appeal court.

In October 2022, the court of appeal in Abuja struck out the terrorism charge filed against Kanu.

The appellate court held that Kanu’s extradition from Kenya to Nigeria to stand trial was illegal.

The federal government later filed an appeal before the supreme court challenging the judgement — and subsequently filed an amended charge before a federal high court.

The federal government also filed to stay the execution in the appellate court and it was granted.