No Independence Day celebration – IPOB warns South-East residents

In a statement on Friday, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) announced their plan to prevent any activities from taking place in the entire South-East geopolitical zone on October 1, Independence Day, effectively canceling the event in the region.

The group expressed dissatisfaction with Nigeria’s direction over the past 63 years and highlighted the lack of recognition for the South-East as a significant part of the country.

They cautioned that severe consequences would be faced by anyone displaying the Nigerian flag in Biafraland during Independence Day commemorations.

Furthermore, the group called upon the governors and political leaders of the South-East to refrain from participating in the celebrations, asserting that the Nigerian flag would not be raised in the region on October 1.

Emma Powerful, the Director of Media and Publicity for the group, conveyed this message in the statement.

The statement read, “The global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), ably led by the Supreme leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu hereby call on Biafrans both home and in diaspora to shun participation in the Nigeria Independence Day Celebration on 1st October 2023.

“Since Nigeria has rejected us, we have also rejected Nigeria and her celebrations. The Nigeria Government and Nigeria citizens have time after time demonstrated that we are not part of them; and therefore, we must do everything possible to liberate ourselves from the bondage of Nigeria.

“As Nigeria’s government plans to celebrate her flag Independence from Britain, we advise eastern region governors and political leaders to shun the October 1st Independence celebration in our region.

“Moreso, we advise Biafrans not to attend any Independence celebration anywhere within Biafra territory or outside of it. Hence, IPOB has banned the Independence Day celebration and flying of Nigeria flags in any part of Biafraland on October 1st, 2023.

“After 63 years of flag independence of Nigeria from Britain, there is nothing to show for it. Ordinary electricity, security, or good roads Nigeria can’t provide for her citizens.

“As little as conducting free and fair election has been impossible in the most fantastically corrupt nation in the world called Nigeria. Every institution in Nigeria has been polluted and corrupted by bribery and stealing.”

It further maintained the leaders of the country were paying lip-service towards protection of lives and property, adding, “Nigeria is a destiny destroyer for all nations inside it and every citizen therein.”

“Other smaller African nations can boast of providing a safe, secure, and productive country for their citizens, but Nigeria keeps going from bad to worse.”