‘We won’t be part of it’ — IPOB asks south-east residents to shun Independence Day celebration

The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has asked residents in the south-east to shun the country’s 63rd independence anniversary. 

In a statement issued on Friday, Emma Powerful, IPOB’s spokesperson, claimed that the federal government has not treated the people of south-east equally with other citizens of the country.

“Nigeria has marginalized Biafrans politically and economically,” the statement reads.

“Since Nigeria has rejected us, we have also rejected Nigeria and her celebrations.

“The Nigeria Government and Nigeria citizens have time after time demonstrated that we are not part of them, and therefore, we must do everything possible to liberate ourselves from the bondage of Nigeria.”

The group also asked governors in the south-east geo-political zone to shun the October independence celebration.

While asking citizens of the region[tps_title][/tps_title] outside the geo-political zone not to attend any independence celebration anywhere, the prescribed separatist group said the Nigerian flag should not be flown in the south-east on October 1.

IPOB threatened that anyone found celebrating Independence Day would “regret” his or her action.