IPOB to FG: We’ll suspend agitation if referendum on Biafra is held

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) says it will suspend its agitation if the federal government sets a date to hold a referendum on the secession of the south-east region.

Over the past few years, IPOB’s agitation for the secession of the south-east has heightened.

Amid the agitation, many stakeholders have clamoured for the restructuring of the country in a bid to calm the tension.

Reacting to the calls for restructuring, IPOB in a statement on Monday, said it is not against restructuring, but that “restoration of Biafra state” is the demand of the group.

The secessionist group said those benefiting from the country’s “lopsidedness” are “unlikely” to heed the clamour for restructuring.

“Nigerian government must bear one thing in mind; IPOB is not fighting restructuring. We are not against restructuring but our demand is not restructuring,” the statement reads.

“Our demand is restoration of Biafra State. All we need is a date for REFERENDUM to decide whether or not we want to continue with this forced marriage.

“Those who think Nigeria is ready for restructuring may have to think again. Those benefiting from the current lopsidedness have made restructuring impossible. They are unlikely to heed the clamour for restructuring.

“But for us, the only thing that can make us slow down a little is the government giving us a date for the referendum.

“Restoration of the sovereign State of Biafra is a divine mandate. Our eternal leader Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu told them to restructure Nigeria they said no and killed millions of Biafrans in the war.

“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB did not come on board to demand restructuring; we are for total freedom and independence.”

IPOB reiterated that the sit-at-home order has been suspended, while warning those attacking residents of the south-east in the name of “unknown gunmen” to desist.