Biafra Day: Political Leaders Have Lost Grip on Igbo Masses, Say IPOB, CSOs
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Eastern
Consultative Assembly (ECA) and other civil society organisations on Thursday
lauded the people of South-east zone for observing the sit-at-home order in
honour of Biafran heroes, saying it was an indictment on the political leaders
for disconnecting with the masses.
IPOB in a statement issued by its Media and
Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said Biafrans have courageously proved the
futility of any effort to suppress lovers of freedom, adding that it has become
clearer that “the people listen to IPOB not South-east governors or Ohanaeze
Ndigbo.
“We salute the uncommon courage, determination and resoluteness
of all Biafrans that defied the military threats, intimidation from Arewa
Consultative Forum and South-east governors to sit at home across Biafra land.”
It stated further that “we commend the people of
Ogoni, Idoma, Igede, Igala and others who afforded to observe and remember
those that sacrificed their lives for us to be alive today. From Ogoja in the
east to the border town of Igbanke in the west; from the Oturkpo in the north
to the island of Bonny in the south, Biafrans observed in their own unique way
a day of solemnity, reverence and respect for our departed heroes.”
The separatist organisation noted that aside from
the observance of the Biafra Day in some parts of Nigeria, IPOB family members
in the Diaspora also rallied in over 100 countries across Europe, Asia, North
and South America, Australia and Africa.
On its part the ECA commended the leadership of
IPOB “for their patience, tolerance, endurance and ability to lead, direct and
guide the masses of eastern Nigeria with humility and determination in spite of
the provocation of a clearly clueless oppressor.”
In a statement signed by the Secretary and Deputy Leader
of ECA, Elliot Uko and Maria Okwor, respectively, the group which described
IPOB as “the most oppressed and most persecuted mass movement in the world,” said
it has proved over and again that it could not be wished away.
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