The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) led by Nnamdi Kanu has rejected the reported plans by the UK government to offer ‘persecuted’ members asylum.
Kanu who spoke on Tuesday in a statement by IPOB media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful said what IPOB needs is not asylum but a referendum that will lead to freedom from Nigeria.
The group however commended the reported move by the UK government but said it is better to get a referendum and become independent than to abandon their agitation and flee to the UK.
IPOB also accused the UK government of creating the Nigerian nation without taking into consideration the many ethnic groups it was forcefully bringing together under one nation.
The statement by Powerful reads: “We the global family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our great and indomitable leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has noted with satisfaction the news that the United Kingdom has agreed to grant asylum to persecuted Biafra agitators resident in the UK.
“While we commend them for this bold initiative, we wish to most graciously remind them that what we Biafrans need and cherish the most is referendum and not asylum in the UK. We are tired of living in bondage in the devilish contraption called Nigeria they single-handedly created.
“We would not wish our children, now and generations unborn, to share the same geo-political space with those that reward terrorists and criminalize law abiding citizens. We particularly thank the UK government for confirming what the rest of the civilized world already know that the great IPOB worldwide family are not TERRORISTS but peaceful agitators and freedom fighters.
“That Nigeria is a country run by terrorists for the benefit of terrorists has been confirmed by this noble move by the United Kingdom. Aso Rock, the seat of power in Nigeria is a terrorist haven with serving ministers who are openly sympathetic to terrorists and their activities coming and going as they please, while freedom fighters are languishing in jail. We want freedom not asylum.”
Meanwhile, Naija News earlier reported that the federal government has warned the government of the United Kingdom against its reported plan to grant asylum to members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The Nigerian government in its submission said the UK government will be undermining security in Nigeria by its actions if it goes ahead with such plans.
The UK government had according to reports, unveiled plans to grant asylum to persecuted members of IPOB and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).
But reacting to the plan by the UK government, Nigeria’s Minister for Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said if indeed the UK government has such plans for IPOB and MASSOB members, then something is wrong somewhere, adding that it will be sabotage against Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.