The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has issued a cautionary message to residents of the South-East region, advising against involvement in the ongoing protests sweeping across Nigeria over economic challenges under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In a statement released on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, the separatist group asserted that the people of the South-East should abstain from joining protests against the prevailing economic hardships, emphasizing the region’s disinterest in Nigerian affairs and its aspiration for independence.
Powerful emphasized the potential peril facing Igbo individuals participating in such demonstrations, citing past instances of violence and marginalization experienced by the Igbo community within Nigeria.
While nationwide discontent over the soaring cost of living and food prices continues to mount, the apex socio-cultural organization of the Igbo people, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, echoed IPOB’s sentiment, urging restraint and patience among Igbo citizens toward the Tinubu-led government.
The IPOB spokesperson underscored the detachment of Biafrans from the economic woes plaguing Nigeria, attributing the current hardships to the country’s historical injustices against the Igbo community.
Expressing concerns over potential profiling and targeting of Igbo individuals in protests, Powerful urged Ndigbo to refrain from engaging in demonstrations aimed at addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges.
Furthermore, the group delineated the South-East’s priorities, citing ongoing security threats and government-sponsored violence as paramount concerns that demand attention.
The statement reiterated IPOB’s steadfast commitment to pursuing Biafra’s independence while cautioning against actions that could jeopardize the region’s stability.
In a final admonition, IPOB directed groups intending to protest economic hardships to do so in other regions of the country, emphasizing the South-East’s focus on addressing internal security challenges and safeguarding its territory from destabilizing forces.
As Nigeria grapples with deep-rooted economic and security challenges, IPOB’s stance reflects the complex dynamics and divergent aspirations shaping Nigeria’s political landscape, underscoring the region’s quest for self-determination amid broader national uncertainties.
