The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has described the opposition of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and other northern groups to the release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, as “hypocritical and shameful”.
In a statement on Friday released by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, the pro-Biafra group said that the release of its leader is for the benefit of the country and in the interest of peace.
IPOB described the NEF, the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) and others as inconsequential groups who “shameful displayed their stupidity and arrogance.”
The NEF in a statement on Monday by its spokesperson, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, had asked President Muhammadu Buhari not to accept the request of Igbo leaders who asked him to release and pardon the IPOB leader.
According to the forum, the release of the IPOB leader would only heighten security issues in the country, urging the President to allow the judiciary to decide the fate of the pro-Biafra agitator.
In a separate statement by its spokesman, Abdulazeez Suleiman, the CNG said that the calls for Kanu’s release represent a grand conspiracy to accommodate an agenda of destruction and collective mayhem.
Reacting, IPOB said the actions of the Northern groups have shown that they are selfish, ignorant, hypocrites who do not want the development of the nation,
The group added that the antagonism of the groups has confirmed the reason it has been seeking South East secession from Nigeria.
It, however, warned the groups that unhealthy comments against the former Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazuruike Amaechi and other Igbo leaders will not be accepted.
The statement reads: “The ranting by these groups are not only disgusting but provocative, and one of the very reasons we agitate for self-determination. How can we continue to belong to the same country with people who are self-centred and don’t reason objectively?
“We don’t want to dignify these inconsequential groups but we just want the world to note that these were the same charlatans responsible for the killing of Biafrans living in the North even before the civil war.
“They are still the masterminds of unprovoked and senseless attacks on Biafrans living in the North up till date. They want to keep us together in this bondage so they can continue in their genocidal attacks against us but it’s too late.
“We are warning these Northern attack dogs to stop disparaging Igbo elders, traditional rulers and respected Bishops who made out time to meet the President in Abuja for a peaceful resolution of the debacle. These are the real enemies of Nigeria who don’t want peace to prevail because of their selfish interests.”
“The Igbo elders and traditional rulers were doing Nigeria well by telling Buhari to release Nnamdi Kanu. We believe much in what we are pursuing and their ranting cannot afford to move us in our resolve to get Biafra. It is quite appalling and unfortunate that these attention seekers are showcasing their stupidity and ignorance to the world by coming out openly to rant in the very manner they did.
“They should stop pretending that they don’t see the handwriting on the wall against the Nigeria government and its security apparatus for the extraordinary rendition of Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya.”
IPOB wondered why the Northern groups refused to speak against many attacks by terrorists against Christians in the North.
The Biafra group also berated the groups for staying silent while Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi was asking the government to grant amnesty to bandits.
It reads: “Where were these shameless hypocrites when the suicide bomber, Kabiru Sokoto behind the December 2011 Christmas Day bombing of St. Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla, near Abuja that claimed scores of Christian worshipers was released from prison by Buhari?
“Where are these elements without conscience as the federal government has continued not only to release but absorb into the security apparatus of Nigeria, thousands of captured terrorists and Fulani bandits responsible for the daily senseless killings of innocent Nigerians including security operatives?
“Why are these ethnic bigots getting agitated and unsettled because Nnamdi Kanu who committed no crime to ask for a referendum for the freedom of his people is involved?
“Where were these hypocrites when Sheikh Ahmed Gumi was and still negotiating with Fulani bandits and midwifing the release of their victims after billions of Naira and hard currencies were paid as ransom?
“Why will any upright and fair mortal who reasons like a human being ever oppose the unconditional release of innocent freedom seeker like Nnamdi Kanu in a country where mass murderers are daily granted amnesty and state pardon?
“Let these pretenders know that there is time for everything. The Fulani will not continue to call the shots in Nigeria. Kingdoms rise and fall. Tyranny doesn’t last for too long as many tyrants have since gone the way of all flesh.“
This article was originally published on Naija News