The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has warned against insulting the leadership of the secessionist group following the suspension of its sit-at-home order.
The sit-at-home was hitherto declared to be observed every Monday in solidarity with the group’s leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The group recently declared that there would be sit-at-home in the Southeast region every Monday pending the release of Kanu who is currently in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS.
However, the group reversed their decision, saying that the sit-at-home will now be observed any day Kanu appears in court for his trial which bothers on treason felony.
The suspension, however, triggered reactions from some of its members.
Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, IPOB vowed to clamp down on whoever insults their leaders.
The statement reads in part, “We the global family of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, under the Supreme command and leadership of our Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, have noted with utter dismay, the barrage of insults rained on our leadership over the adjustment of the earlier announced Monday’s weekly sit-at-home in solidarity with our illegally and unjustly detained leader.
“We want to make it clear to all that the adjustment by the Directorate of State, DOS was in fact as a result of a direct order from the highest authority in IPOB hierarchy, and does not in any way suggest compromise or betrayal of the struggle as being insinuated by some uninformed fellows and agent of provocateur.
“Those trying to misconstrue the action of DOS or twist it for ulterior motives may have lost focus of the ultimate objective of the struggle. The derogatory attacks on DOS over this strategic decision are not only embarrassing but very unfortunate.
“How can anyone in his/her wildest imagination contemplate that the DOS can take any action that will or be induced by anybody to sabotage the Biafran struggle? This great IPOB worldwide family, has an undisputable leader in the person of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his order is final. The Directorate of State cannot in good conscience wilfully disobey our leader’s order and at the same time expect Biafrans to obey instructions emanating from the DOS.
“The DOS does not mind being insulted by Biafrans, but one thing that needs to be made clear to IPOB family members worldwide, friends and detractors alike is that the Directorate of State of the Indigenous people of Biafra cannot by any stretch of imagination be compelled or bamboozled into disregarding or disobeying a direct order from our leader.
“The adjustment of the sit-at-home is sacrosanct because the order of Onyendu must be implemented fully. Biafrans and residents of Biafra land are therefore free to go about their legitimate businesses every Monday without fear, intimidation or molestation by anybody. Sit-at-home will be observed only on days our leader will appear in court, and on such other days Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will give the order.
“Biafrans have exhibited time and again their love for the leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra and the 16th of August 2021clearly manifested their readiness to make great sacrifice for the well-being of Onyendu and for our freedom but we must not ignore the admonitions from our leader that discipline has been, is and must remain the key to our victory.”
