Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu hasa reportedly tendered an apology to President Muhammadu Buhari for calling him a terrorist and a paedophile in his radio broadcasts.
According to Punch, Kanu also apologised to former President Goodluck Jonathan and other Igbi leaders for unsavoury remarks he made against them.
The 48-year-old was said to have made the apology via a statement he made to the DSS, although he said he was unapologetic over his demand for the secession of Biafra,
The statement read in parts: “Reference to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a terrorist, evil and a paedophile is regrettable and uncalled for and for that, I unreservedly apologise and will be doing so in a private letter to the President.
“Before PMB (President Muhammadu Buhari) there was the administration of Goodluck Jonathan. I also said uncomplimentary things about him and Igbo elders as well, which I now recognise should not have happened because it is un-African to be rude or insolent to elders.
“All I was trying to do is to draw attention to the problems afflicting society and something done about them.”
Kanu, who said he was a Nigerian and British citizen explained that his agitation for Biafra was as a result of the “incessant hardship, lack of holistic development in the socio-economic landscape of Nigeria, lack of youth employment, corruption in high offices and economic regression.”
On the illegality of IPOB, Kanu said the group was founded in London in 2012 by Nigerians of South South and South Eastern extraction and was in line with the United Nations Charter on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ratified by African countries, including Nigeria.
He said: “I can confirm that I, Nnamdi Kanu, is the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra worldwide as a legitimately and duly registered body at the United Nations pursuing the rights of a specific indigenous people, in this case, Biafra, to seek self determination according to the said charter.
“The reason for the formation of the Indigenous People of Biafra is to avail those referring to themselves as Biafrans the opportunity made available as a result of the United Nations declaration to seek the peaceful rebirth of Biafra in line with international law.”
While explaining that the intended Biafra Republic was made up of Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Imo, Anambra, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states as well the Igbanke part of Edo State; Igala part of Kogi State and Idoma/Igede part of Edo State, Kanu said his broadcasts on radio Biafra “are designed to wake up the public from its slumber and address the issues of the time” because of his belief in free speech and freedom of expression.
