The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has praised Alex Otti, the governor of Abia State, and Ahmad Aliyu, the governor of Sokoto State, for paying a visit to Nnamdi Kanu, the organization’s imprisoned leader, at the Sokoto Correctional Center.
The group described the visit as a sign of solidarity and concern for Kanu’s continued imprisonment in a statement released on Thursday by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful.
Along with the governors, the group praised Hon. Obi Aguocha and other well-meaning Igbo leaders, especially Sokoto-based Igbo community members.
“The global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra, under our courageous leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, express appreciation to Dr. Alex Otti of Abia State and Almad Aliyu Sokoto of Sokoto State for their surprise visit to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, a prisoner of conscience at the Sokoto Correctional Center,” the statement said. We also commend Hon. Aguocha for visiting Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, as did other concerned Igbos, especially those that reside in Sokoto.
The Nigerian State will always be troubled by the abduction, extraordinary rendition, prolonged detention, illegal trial, life in prison, and brutal transfer to Sokoto jail. Until a comprehensive independent inquiry is conducted, we cannot ignore the unfairness of using State Security Forces for false flag operations in the Eastern Region to fabricate proof of government-backed violence and terrorism against IPOB and MNK. Furthermore, the perpetrators of these nefarious schemes will be tormented forever if they use the mechanism of a biased legal system to imprison an innocent person whose only “offense” was defending his people and attempting self-determination from a country that has marginalized and oppressed them since gaining independence. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu continues to be seen by Ndigbo and many conscious Nigerians as a victim of an oppressive government and a prisoner of conscience.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, did not commit any crime recognized by domestic or international law that would have allowed Justice James Omotosho and his associate Barrister Awomolo, SAN, to impose a harsh ruling on the innocent person despite strong pressure from the illegal Nigerian presidency in the Executive branch. The severity of the injustice done to MNK has greatly infuriated Ndigbo.
“The highest level of provocation to IPOB and to Ndigbo in general is represented by his kidnapping and extraordinary rendition from Kenya, five years of illegal incarceration, illegal trial, conviction, life sentence, and relocation to Sokoto jail amid extreme insecurity. But while we wait for justice and reason to prevail, we have taken in everything.
“A biased government should think twice before sentencing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to life in jail if they think that doing so will weaken his resolve and that of the Indigenous People of Biafra, or IPOB, movement. This is because they have a biased judge and prosecutor.
More than 90% of Ndigbo, along with many well-meaning Nigerians and foreigners, adore Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. A destined person would always come across his destiny followers wherever he goes, thus the biased government is misguided if they think that moving him to Sokoto will force people to give up on this holy mission. Mazi Kanu would always have the support of Ndigbo and good people. The Nigerian government must, however, ensure that he is protected. May he never be harmed, intentionally or unintentionally. The consequences are best left unimagined if anything were to happen to him in any state prison. One should not undervalue a leader who is adored and revered by almost 70 million people.
“IPOB is committed to the nonviolent Biafra initiative for self-determination. However, as we await the date of a UN-supervised referendum for Biafrans to decide their fate in the purported Nigerian Unity, the Nigerian government must ensure that this nonviolent movement continues by protecting our leader and members.
