Lucky Obukohwo Reporting
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has strongly condemned the Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s threats to take back ownerships of the Onitsha market and rebuild it as a punishment against traders observing the Monday sit-at-home in solidarity with its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s unjust imprisonment.
IPOB, in a statement by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, alleged that the govenor’s action is a strategy to undermine Biafra’s peaceful struggle and foment instability in Igboland.
Powerful pointed out that Soludo’s actions are part of a grand conspiracy emanating from Abuja to sabotage Biafra restoration, and warned that Nigeria’s regime is channelling vast sums into Republican lobbying firms in Washington to paint Biafra land as unstable.
The group urged Biafrans to remain vigilant and peaceful, stressing their commitment to non-violent resistance and a referendum for Biafra’s liberation.
According to the statement: “This is nothing short of a carefully scripted, malevolent agenda orchestrated from Abuja to sabotage the Biafra restoration movement from within, right under the watchful eyes of the international community.
“Those lacking foresight and critical insight fail to grasp the profoundly destructive implications of Soludo’s words, which echo the treacherous playbook of past collaborators like Ukpabi Asika, recruited to betray Biafran interests during our darker times before, during and after the war.
“We demand answers: Why now? This is the question we should all ask ourselves. Soludo himself admitted that during the Christmas shopping season, markets flourished on Mondays without incident, utterly debunking the fabricated narrative of intimidation or fear as the driver of sit-at-home observance.
“This exposes the lie peddled by Nigerian authorities and their media puppets—that our people cower in terror—when in truth, the Monday closures are a voluntary, peaceful civil disobedience by Onitsha and Aba business owners and traders to demand the immediate release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“Yet, this legitimate expression of solidarity has been grotesquely twisted by propaganda machines to drawn out the real cause: justice for our leader and self-determination for Biafra.
“Soludo’s escalation comes at a pivotal moment when global attention is turning toward Biafra’s plight and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s rising international profile. His threats are a desperate bid for confrontation, aimed at derailing our intensified diplomatic push for Biafra recognition.
“Make no mistake, this is not merely about Monday sit-at-home; it is a grand conspiracy emanating from government houses across Igboland to halt the unstoppable momentum of Biafra restoration.
“Despite the sham conviction and life imprisonment imposed on our leader, his spirit remains unbroken, propelling Biafra to unprecedented heights. Our emissaries have worked tirelessly to maintain relative peace in Igboland, only for Soludo to recklessly attempt to reverse these gains and ignite chaos.
“We warn that Nigeria’s regime is funneling vast sums into Republican lobbying firms in Washington to paint Biafra land as an unstable, ungovernable region, hoping to dissuade figures like President Trump from recognising our rightful aspirations. That is why we must be careful with our utterances and actions.
“Soludo’s role in this act of grand treachery against our people is regrettable and will be remembered as a betrayal of his own people. No Yoruba or Fulani governor will do to their people what Soludo is doing to Onitsha businessmen and women.
“Biafrans must remain vigilant against false flag operations from Soludo’s militia, media manipulation, and provocations designed to portray us as violent, thereby justifying further oppression. We must not allow Soludo to replicate Imo State in Anambra State.
“IPOB calls on all Biafrans to stay disciplined, peaceful and resolute in our non-violent resistance. The world must witness our maturity and commitment to dialogue, not the chaos Soludo and his handlers seek to engineer. We urge the international community, human rights bodies and well-meaning Nigerians to hold Soludo accountable for these inflammatory threats that endanger lives and economic livelihoods.
“Our path to freedom through a referendum remains steadfast; Biafra’s liberation is inevitable,” Powerful said.
