The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has said that being part of Biafra would never be by coercion but voluntary through a referendum.
The group, in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said any tribe or ethnicity not willing to be part of the republic would not be forced to do so.
It however said such tribes must conduct a referendum for their people to decide their fate on the agitation for Biafra.
The group further refuted reports accusing the leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu of drawing the Biafra map, describing it as false and targeted to set the members against themselves.
The statement reads in part: “Our attention has been drawn to the blackmail being sponsored by our detractors that IPOB has drawn the Biafra map. We, therefore, want to debunk such a fallacious narrative. We did not draw any Biafra map.
“We understand that some people in the coastal region of Biafra are misinformed and deceived with false information that IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu and Igbo have drawn the map of Biafra. It is false and intended to set us against ourselves. The issue of the Biafra map should not generate any heat because we know ourselves.
“Ijaw National Council (INC) should understand and remember that their brother Dr Frank Opigo initiated the name Biafra which we answer today. They should stop saying that Ijaw wasn’t conquered pre-colonial and Colonial-era because Igbo never said they were conquered.
“Igbo people never conquered any tribe in the old Eastern region because our fathers saw themselves as one family, and today IPOB and Nnamdi Kanu have towed the peaceful steps and accommodating spirits of our fathers but if any tribe undermined our no problem you can continue on your own.
“Being part of Biafra will never be by coercion but a voluntary matter through a referendum. Any tribe or ethnicity who doesn’t want to be part of Biafra will never be forced to do so. Such tribes are free to go on their own but you must conduct a referendum for your people to decide their fate on the agitation for Biafra.
“We can attest that Igbo people never fought against any tribe in olden days because Igbo believe in (Onyeaghala Nwanne ya and, Ibiri Kamu biri) (live and let live). Again Ijaw tribe and other tribes in the old Eastern region including the Mid Western region are Igbo brothers and sisters today, tomorrow and forever.
“Igbo are not going to force anybody or tribe to join the fight for Biafra freedom. Let every tribe try what they can to wake up for their freedom because freedom is good and remains the best for all of us.
“No tribe in the old Eastern region and Western region should allow themselves to be deceived because Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB did not draw map for Biafra. Instead, we are staking our precious lives for all and it is the sacrifice we ought to pay for the realisation of our freedom and independence.
“We are staking all we have for this freedom project, without the Igbo tribe being in forefront of this struggle the struggle would have been a thing of the past and we must continue until freedom is totally achieved.
“Again, we appreciate the move by Izon tribe and other tribes in the region to achieve freedom but they should not look by the side because if they do, they will lose their focus then the freedom will move out of their hands, let them focus and stop displaying their hatred against Igbo tribe without Igbo they are gone in this Nigeria designed and approved for Fulani to control.
“They should know that IPOB and Igbo are not their problems but Fulani and the compromised politicians in our midst,” IPOB stated.
(The Nation)
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