BIAFRA NEWS : Simon Ekpa alleges assassination attempts

 

The leader of the Biafra Government In-Exile, Simon Ekpa has alleged that there is assassination attempt against him.

Ekpa disclosed this in a statement through his official X handle on Tuesday.

He claimed that a suicide bomber had been allegedly deployed from Abuja and headed for Finland.He further alleged this was the fifth attempt to take his life amid his struggle for Biafra liberation in recent times.

Ekpa said he was monitoring the situation and assured that Biafra Independence would triumph over any attempt.

“Sending suicide bombers to Finland to attack Simon Ekpa is their last option and they just departed from Abuja airport.

“This is just to inform them that we are monitoring them even from the time they dropped them at the Abuja airport, to their next destination.

“We are waiting for you suicide bomber at the port of entry. Their Finland contact knows already he is in the pot of soup.

“I remain committed to Biafra Independence, this is your 5th attempt, you are now sending terrorists to Europe.

“If you know this man called Simon Ekpa, you will stop sleeping. Let me leave it here. It is not yet time for that”, he claimed.

 

BIAFRA NEWS : S-East govs; elders, Nnamdi Kanu mourn Iwuanyanwu

 

 

 

South-East Governors’ Forum has expressed deep pain over the unfortunate demise of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide,  Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

In a statement by Chairman of South East Governors’ Forum, and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, the forum said: “The entire region had been thrown into deep mourning by the sudden passing of  Iwuanyanwu.

  Iwuanyanwu was an outstanding national leader who served Nigeria meritoriously in various capabilities over the years.

“He was a bold, fearless and courageous defender of the truth; an unapologetic protector of the unity, peace, and indivisibility of Nigeria.

“The South East, Ndigbo and indeed Nigeria at large, have lost a rare statesman, a dependable patriot, a philanthropist, an astute manager of human and material resources, a champion of justice, equity, fairness, and inclusiveness, a resourceful business leader and entrepreneur who created jobs and employment for thousands of Nigerians.”

S-East elders too

An Igbo socio-cultural group, Igbo Elders Consultative Forum, has also lamented the deaths of some prominent Igbo personalities in July 2024.

In a statement, Wednesday, and  signed  by its Chairman,  Simon Okeke, and Secretary, Prof. Charles Nwekeakwu, the elders decried the sudden death of Chief Iwuanyanwu, Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Senator Ifeanyi Uba,  and music icon, Onyeka Onwenu, including another prominent son,  Ferdinand Agu.

The statement read in part, “We mourn these illustrious and much-beloved personalities. Their death is heartrending. But we thank God for the life they lived. We pray for divine grace for their families, Ndigbo, and the people of Nigeria  to bear these irreparable losses.

Nnamdi Kanu mourns  

Similarly, Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has expressed deep sorrow over the demise of Iwuanyanwu, and other eminent Igbo personalities.

He also expressed sadness over the death of a former Governor of Abia State and Minister for Science and Technology,  Ogbonnaya Onu; Senator Ifeanyi Ubah; and music  icon, Onyeka Onwenu.

Kanu’s condolences for the affected personalities were  conveyed by his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, who visited  him Wednesday at the Abuja headquarters of  the Department for State Services, DSS, where he is currently detained.

The statement made available to Vanguard read:”Today, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu directed me to convey his heartfelt sympathies to the families of  Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, Senator Ifeanyi Uba and Dame Onyeka Onwenu.

“Kanu is pained at their demise and as he mourns, he sends his comfort to Ndigbo and  requests that none  should speak  ill  of  the departed, as such is repugnant to Igbo traditions. He sees these deaths to be too many in so  short a time and calls for  prayers to avert too many deaths from the land.”

“Onyeka Onwenu in particular was very close to Onyendu, who found her private advice to be invaluable. MNK recalls that Onyeka was a firm believer in freedom and that she lived a fulfilled life that guaranteed her eternal rest in heaven.”

BIAFRA NEWS : Igbo want Biafra nation, not interested in hunger protest – IPOB

 

 

The separatist Indigenous People of Biafra, on Wednesday, warned the Igbo people against joining the ongoing hunger or #EndBadGovernance protest across the country.

The pro-Biafran group insisted that Igbo people were fed up with Nigerian affairs and wanted only a referendum to exit the country and form their Biafra nation.

While asking Nigerians to carry their cross and enjoy their “Emilokan” – President Bola Tinubu’s campaign slogan –  IPOB said if there was any for the Igbo to protest, it would be to demand the release of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and a date to demand a referendum to leave Nigeria.

The group stated this in a statement on Thursday by its spokesman, Emma Powerful.

“What we are interested in now is for President Bola Tinubu to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and give us a date for the Biafran referendum for Biafrans to decide their fate in Nigeria or an independent Biafra Nation,” IPOB said.

While warning Igbo people not to join the hunger protest, IPOB alleged that there were plans to create a crisis and blame it on the Igbo people so they could be attacked.

It urged Igbo people living outside the South-East to concentrate on protecting themselves and their property while the protest lasted instead of participating.

It said, “Ndigbo should be careful and know that they are hated and targeted across the contraption called Nigeria.

“Furthermore, the false accusations against IPOB and Mr Peter Obi by the Federal Government as the sponsors of the proposed protest are part of the sinister plan and agenda to target Ndigbo for elimination.

“The false alarm that IPOB and Ndigbo are sponsoring the protest is another false flag operation targeted at killing Ndigbo during the protest.

“Neither, Ndigbo nor IPOB called for the Nigerians to protest against the leadership’s disastrous performance in Nigeria. Interestingly, both the IPOB, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and many other Igbo groups have warned Ndigbo not to join the proposed peaceful national protest against hardship and hunger in the wider Nigeria.

“We have maintained that Nigerians must carry their cross and enjoy their Emilokan. Ndigbo do not know what Emilokan means.  Sadly, the Federal Government and her proxies are falsely accusing Ndigbo and IPOB as the sponsors of the protest. We have no hand in it.

“Therefore, all the Biafrans in the North and the West must understand that they are outside their region and should endeavour to defend themselves and their properties. As much as possible, refrain from joining either the planned peaceful protest or the hired pro-government protest.

“Should you expose yourself, you and your business will be the main target, not other tribes. Understand that you are not loved in the supposed country of the zoo called Nigeria that some of you claim to be part of.”

 

 

BIAFRA NEWS : Don’t join #EndBadGovernance protest, IPOB tells Ndigbo

 

 

The Independent People of Biafra has called on Ndigbo across the country not to join the ongoing nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest.

The pro-Biafran group said rather than joining the protest, Ndigbo should be security alert and protect their lives and property during and after the protest.

The group added that both IPOB, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and many other Igbo groups have already warned them not to join the protest.

They alleged that a security report at its disposal indicated that security agencies had concluded plans to carry out targeted attacks against the Ndigbo during the protest.

In a statement on Thursday, the group, through its spokesman, Emma Powerful, claimed that there were also plans to sponsor criminal elements in the South-East to carry out violent protests to provide opportunities for the security agencies to launch attacks against Ndigbo during this period.

The statement said, “Therefore, Ndigbo should be careful and know that they are hated and targeted across the contraption called Nigeria.

“Furthermore, the false accusations against IPOB and Mr Peter Obi by the Federal Government as the sponsors of the proposed protest are part of the sinister plan and agenda to target Ndigbo for elimination.

“The false alarm that IPOB and Ndigbo are sponsoring the protest is another false flag operation targeted at killing Ndigbo during the protest.

“Neither, Ndigbo nor IPOB called for the Nigerians to protest against the leadership’s disastrous performance in Nigeria. Interestingly, both the IPOB, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and many other Igbo groups have warned Ndigbo not to join the proposed peaceful national protest against hardship and hunger in the wider Nigeria.

The group said although Ndigbo are facing the same economic hardship that others are facing, they are usually the victims of any protest in Nigeria.

The statement added, “We must learn our lessons. If need be, the only protests that Ndigbo should sponsor and fully participate in are the protest for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and a call or a UN-supervised referendum.

“What we are interested in now is for President Bola Tinubu to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and give us a date for the Biafran referendum for Biafrans to decide their fate in Nigeria or an independent Biafra Nation.

“As the hunger protest plans rage, Ndigbo must ensure that they defend themselves and their properties against hoodlums and tribal bigots who will capitalise on the protest to loot their materials in our shops.

“Moreso, every Igbo person in the East, North and West must be on security alert during this period of their protest.  Ndigbo will be the target of the federal government’s brutal force during the proposed peaceful protest. Don’t be a victim.”

BIAFRA NEWS : Politically release Nnamdi Kanu – Igbo World Congress tells Tinubu

 

 

The World Igbo Congress, WIC, has urged President Bola Tinubu to politically release Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

WIC said history would document Tinubu’s decision to release the IPOB leader who has been incarcerated since June 2021.

In a statement by its Chairman, Festus Okere and Secretary-General, Chris Ogara; WIC also acknowledged the recent, significant meeting of the Southeast governors, withdistinguished personalities, including the Obi of Onitsha, over Kanu’s continued detention.

The statement reads: “Among their unanimous decisions made public is their resolve to meet President

Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering release of our kinsman, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, which is justifiably

overdue.

“World Igbo Congress is itching to hear the outcome of their agreed meeting. Time is the soul of the world. A prolonged inaction destroys peoples’ hope. Let actions speak louder than voice.

“WIC stands firmly with our governors in this overly concerned matter. We also recognize and salute all persons who have continued, in numerous documented occasions, to support the call for the release of Nnamdi Kanu.

“WIC, again, urges President Tinubu to politically release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. History remains a true account of the past.”

 

BIAFRA NEWS : Reps caucus backs calls for Nnamdi Kanu, others’ release

 

 

The Southeast caucus of the House of Representatives has expressed support for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. 

The caucus, in a statement, on Wednesday, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to consider the release of Kanu and others in a similar situation. The lawmakers noted that the IPOB leader’s release remains the most effective way of restoring peace in the Southeast.

 

The South East caucus in the statement which was signed by all the 43 members from the zone, including the deputy speaker, Benjamin Kalu, noted that the the appeal for an out-of-court settlement of Kanu’s case was also supported by the Federal High Court.

The group added that a political solution is one of the quickest ways of bringing an end to the matter and in turn, restoring peace in the Southeast region.

 

The statement reads: “A few days ago, at the resumed hearing of the case against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu currently pending at an Abuja Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, the issue of the out-of-court settlement of the matter was discussed between Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, and the Attorney General and Minister of Justice.

 

“According to newspaper reports, and our verified accounts of proceedings from those who were in court on that day, the court displayed sufficient support for the out-of-court settlement of this case, being one of the acceptable canons of dispute resolution in our civil and criminal jurisprudence.

“As a Caucus of the House of Representatives from where Mazi Nnamdi Kanu hails, we have taken

 

liberty, in consonance with parliamentary practice, to seek the support of other Regional caucuses of the House of Representatives, to achieve a quick and responsible resolution of the seemingly intractable Mazi Nnamdi Kanu case, a legal impasse that is undoubtedly the missing puzzle in solving the lingering security conundrum in the south East of Nigeria.

 

“We, therefore, as Representatives of the five Southeast states in the House of Representatives, urge Mr President, to consider the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his other similarly detained followers.

“We are convinced that a political settlement of this matter by way of an out-of-court settlement, as canvassed before Justice Binta Nyako, is the quickest, most effective, and honorable way of closing this difficult and painful chapter of our national history.”

BIAFRA NEWS : Eze Aro calls for true federalism, Kanu’s release at coronation

 

The paramount ruler of Arochukwu kingdom, and Eze Aro the 9th, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Eberechukwu Kanu Oji on Saturday, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to embrace true federalism and release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention.

The Eze Aro made this call during his coronation ceremony in Arochukwu, stating, “To the Nigerian federal authorities, I extend the respectful call for a genuine embrace of true federalism. Marginalization and exclusion must give way to inclusion, fairness, and justice.

The monarch noted, “The Igbo people, with their remarkable contributions and rich cultural heritage, deserve a central place at the heart of our nation’s development. Let us build a Nigeria where every ethnic group, including the Igbos, can thrive and contribute to a truly united, progressive and sustainable nationhood, thereby fostering a peaceful environment, where every citizen feels a sense of belonging.”

The royal father also pleaded, “Along these lines, I seize this opportunity to lend my voice to the concerted calls on His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the release of our son, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, from his command detention. His release, already sanctioned by court injunctions, is overdue and will be in the interest of promoting peace and justice in Nigeria.”

Speaking on the contested throne, the Eze Aro assured, “I am committed to bringing utmost dignity and attracting the highest respect to the throne of Eze Aro. I promise to lead with the fear of God and respect for everyone.”

I pledge before you today to lead this renaissance with steadfast dedication, harnessing the strength, resilience and ingenuity of our people.

“Going forward, I will continue to engage in regional and national efforts that align with my agenda of elevating the Arochukwu kingdom to new hands of glory and development by putting God first, upholding our age-long cultural ideals and abiding by our kingdom’s motto, ‘Ako bu ije’.

“Our unity and progress are inexplicable ways to the broader aspirations of the Igbo people. By fostering collaboration and mutual support across the Eastern Nigeria land, we can unlock the potential that lies within every Igbo and indeed Aro community. Our shared history, our shared values and our shared ambitions must guide us towards a future where the Igbo nation stands tall, contributing significantly to the Nigerian federation’s growth and prosperity.”

Speaking during the coronation ceremony, the governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, commended the Aro people for making the right and best choice in choosing His Royal Majesty Dr Oji as the 9th Eze Aro of Aro Kingdom, stating, “I do not doubt that majority of Aro people are very happy with what is happening here today. There may be one or two people that are not happy, but is not our business to make everybody happy.

“Let me make one point clear; any society that does not have leadership is cursed. And, leadership comes neither from the East, West, North or South. The Bible recorded that power comes from God. And in His own time, He makes things beautiful. So, I would like to use what happened in Aro and reconnect it to other societies. Why do I say so? Gone are the days when people choose the worst rather than the best as leaders.

“I want to say without any fear of contradiction, that the Aro people made the best choice. From what I have seen, from what I have read, from what I have heard about the Eze Aro the 9th, he is the best in his class.

“He is the type of leader which every society should aim to have. A leader who will invest in the community rather than stealing from the community, a leader who will show the light rather than initiating people into darkness, and a leader who has a second address (a profession).

“This is because, if you don’t have a second address, then where you are becomes your second address and the tendency is for people who don’t have a second address to begin to dip their hands in the till.

“I can see that the Eze Aro of Arochukwu will not deep his hands into the till, but on the other hand, contribute his resources to the development of the Aro community.”