The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has made a U-turn on their stance regarding the proposed one-week sit-at-home exercise which was scheduled to commence today, November 5 to November 10, 2021, as they suspended the exercise just 48-hours to the Anambra State gubernatorial elections.
The announcement comes as a huge relief for several stakeholders who believed that a one-week sit-at-home exercise would have been counter-productive to the people of the state (with the governorship elections in mind) and also the entire South-East at large.
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has since come out to commend the IPOB on the decision to cancel the one-week sit-at-home exercise. The group made their feelings known through the President-General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide (OYC), Mazi Okwu Nnabuike.
He said:
“We are delighted over the cheering news that the IPOB has cancelled the one-week sit-at-home, which we earlier said would be of great consequence on the entire Igboland. It is a thing of joy that the IPOB has finally looked at the larger picture by cancelling this action. Although it came late, it is still better than never.
“We commend the Uchenna Madu-led Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, for standing firm over Saturday’s Anambra Governorship election. At this point, we re-echo our appeal to our people to go out en-mass and cast their ballot for their preferred candidate in the Anambra guber election.”
IPOB in its own statement released through its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, revealed that the reason for the U-turn was the passionate appeal by several respected Igbo elders, esteemed traditional rulers and religious leaders.
The statement also called on indigenes of the state to go out and exercise their civic rights and vote for their preferred candidates without fear. It also encouraged them to ensure that their votes are counted.
Read Also: We Did Not Call For The Boycott Of Anambra Elections – IPOB
Read the statement in full:
WE HAVE CANCELLED OUR ONE WEEK SIT-AT-HOME – IPOB
“Following the genuine intervention of our elders, esteemed traditional institutions/rulers and religious leaders, and after due consideration of the positive impacts of their engagement, and sequel to the fact that our elders have spoken in our terms, the leadership of IPOB ably lead by MAZI NNAMDI KANU hereby and immediately CALL OFF THE ONE-WEEK SIT-AT-HOME earlier declared to commence tomorrow, November 5 to November 10, 2021.
“We have equally considered several appeals by our mothers who earn their living based on their daily economic activities which will obviously be affected if Biafra land is locked down for one whole week. It’s never our intention to add to the pains of our people, hence our decision to suspend the sit-at-home.
“IPOB leadership is only interested in our referendum and peaceful agitation for self-determination, and cannot by under any guise be seen to be interfering with any electoral process.
“The people of Anambra State should go out en-masse and peacefully exercise their franchise come 6th November 2012 and accordingly, choose a leader of their choice and should not be intimidated by anybody, group of persons or security agents.
“Anambrarians should vote and standby to protect their votes. No rigging of any kind will be tolerated in the Anambra State governorship election. It must be transparent, free and fair to all.
“We wish to thank Biafrans, IPOB members worldwide, friends of Biafra and lovers of freedom for their continued support for our dogged struggle for independence.
“May we, therefore, warn detractors, traitors and enemies of Biafra not to cause confusion by imputing motives to our decision. IPOB doesn’t expect anybody to observe, monitor or enforce the suspended order otherwise such action will be considered a rebellion to the highest leadership of our global movement.
“On the other hand, our oppressors should not take our decision as an act of cowardice. IPOB still believes that our elders, religious leaders, political leaders and various stakeholders will live up to their promises in their engagements and efforts towards securing the unconditional release of our leader.
“We, therefore, urge all Biafrans and residents of Biafra to go about their lawful businesses without fear of any molestations. All agents of darkness recruited by our enemies to inflict pains on our people under the guise of enforcing the sit-at-home are hereby warned to steer clear or brace up for the consequences of their evil action.
“IPOB will not relent in our pursuit for Biafra freedom. Nigeria government must give us a date for the Biafra referendum to decide where we want to belong.”
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