Okwudili Ezenachukwu, the factional leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Sunday, February 25, 2018, demanded the unconditional release of all detained members of the group languishing in different facilities across the country.
He also announced that he was offering himself to be detained in exchange for his members.
Ezenachukwu, who accused factional leader of the group, Nnamdi Kanu of going into hiding, to the detriment of his followers, said he was ready to live by example.
His statement read in part: “The new leadership of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, calls for the immediate release of all IPOB members and other pro-Biafra agitators detained across the nation.
“We demand that Mazi Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi who are co defendants with disappeared Nnamdi Kanu languishing in Kuje prison should be released unconditionally, since they have no case to answer after three years of awaiting trial without proof of evidence in Abuja federal high court.
“IPOB also demands for immediate release of our members and other pro-Biafra agitators languishing in Aba, Umuahia, Onitsha, Awka and Port-Harcourt prisons.”
“We specifically appeal to the governors of Abia, Anambra and Rivers state to intervene for the release of our people. We advice our governors to emulate their counterparts in Arewa land who always find pleasure in releasing and granting amnesty to the members of Boko Haram detained in their respective States.”
“We shall continue to demand and engage in every possible means through non-violence for the restoration of Biafra, our true identity. Arrest, detention and killings will never stop our agitation for Biafra.”
Ezenachukwu said he was now ready to offer himself “in exchange for the freedom of my people detained in various prisons in Aba, Onitsha, Awka, Umuahia, Port-Harcourt and across Nigeria.”
“I challenge President Buhari to arrest me and free all Biafra activists in prison; this is an ultimatum which will last for 14 days.”
He chided Nnamdu Kanu, noting that “a leader must lead from front. Leadership of revolutionary movement can never be a family affair or personal imposition of authority, it must be people-oriented built with a lasting trust and people’s confidence.”
“As we are undergoing a process of re-orientation, IPOB will soon reach out to other pro-Biafra groups. We are not against those still following disappeared Mazi Nnamdi; we advise that all groups shall work together for the interest of Biafra, not using abusive or fowl words against each other and elders of Biafra land.”
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