In prison, Ipob leader Kanu get massive support
Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been in prison for a long time for agitating for a sovereign Biafra
– Two new groups recently emerged from IPOB with each rejecting Kanu and his IPOB and declaring support for negotiation with the government
– Igbo youths, christian groups and market people have spoken out about the alleged crisis in IPOB and declared their support for Kanu
Even though he is prison, Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is gaining more grounds in the eastern part of Nigeria.
IPOB members during one of their protests
There had been an earlier report that the embattled leader had been removed as head of the agitating group and had been replaced with some other members of the group.
Another report claimed that there was division in IPOB with a new group, Re-branded Indigenous People of Biafra (TRIPOB), emerging.
Within 24 hours after the emergence of the new group, another breakaway faction, the Reformed Indigenous People of Biafra (RE-IPOB), came into existence claiming that it had sacked Kanu, IPOB and TRIPOD.
But women, youths, students and traders in the eastern part of the country have rejected the two new groups and claimed there is no crisis in IPOB.
READ ALSO: Nnamdi Kanu has betrayed the Biafra people – RE-IPOB
Some of them have also described Kanu as a hero and said they would continue to stand with him.
According to a report by Vanguard, those who declared their support for the embattled Kanu include the Igbo Women Assembly (IWA), led by Mrs Mariah Okwor; Igbo Youth Movement (IYM); Igbo Students Union (ISU); Igbo Traders Association (ITA) and South East Christians Network (SECN).
“The funny games being played by the federal government is a further confirmation of the arrogance of this government in their stubborn refusal to address the problems from the root by restructuring Nigeria along six regions without delay.
“Only true fiscal federalism can save Nigeria now. Creating non-existent factions of IPOB will not stop the agitation. Government should stop amusing the public with childish plots.
“There is clearly no crisis or factions among these gallant boys, they united under Nnamdi Kanu and they are committed to their struggle.
“I personally thought that Kanu will go the way of Uwazurike, but he has surprised everybody by his righteous, sincere and total commitment to the struggle. The IWA will honour Kanu in October for his honesty and transparent leadership, that boy is a hero,” Mrs. Mariah Okwor reportedly said.
On his part, the founder of IYM Evangelist Elliot Uko, reportedly said: “Those who claim there is crisis in IPOB are the very people who are being used to create the impression of a crisis.
“Ndigbo know that IPOB is intact, why would I comment on non-existent TRIPOB and REIPOB? I don’t want to dignify fake groups with a response.
“The federal government should do the needful, which is begin to address the foundational reasons millions of youths have lost faith in Nigeria.
READ ALSO: Nwabueze blames Buhari for militants, pro-Biafra activities
“Creating artificial factions will not stop the agitation. Only a restructuring of the polity will restore hope. Time is running out.”
Comrade Chimezie Ubani, who is the president of Igbo Students, said: “Nobody knows the fictional characters, Philip Effiong Osuji and Ikemba Biafra or Nzeogwu Biafra. Let them publish their photographs and tell us their home towns and local governments of origin, if they truly exist. There is no crisis whatsoever in IPOB.
“We will honour Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in all the campuses in eastern Nigerian soon, he is our eternal hero, a prophet and a legend. He destroyed our oppressors with the power of truth. IPOB is intact and we are all proud of them.”
Also, Bishop Mike Ibeneme of the South East Christians Network, said: “We all know, Nnamdi Kanu, we know he is from Afara, Umuahia, Abia State.
“Nobody knows these names Ikemba Biafra and Philip Effiong Chima, they probably do not exist. It is clearly an attempt by certain forces to give the impression that there is division within the IPOB.
“It means the IPOB has become a very formidable force that is strong enough to frighten the authorities. Nobody believes there is any crisis within the IPOB, those alluding to factions in IPOB are only those who are afraid of IPOB.”
The report also quoted Chief Chris Obikwelu, the chairman of the Igbo Traders Association as saying: “We are all surprised to hear of strange names breaking away from IPOB.
“If they had said that Emma powerful, Clifford Iroanya or Emma Nmezu broke away, it probably would have been believable, but for totally strange names, unknown to anybody to publish a list of laughable characters to negotiate on behalf of Ndigbo, simply means that TRIPOB and REIPOB are fake, non-existent groups, created by the enemy in their foolish attempt to weaken IPOB.
READ ALSO: Top 5 facts about the new Biafra group TRIPOB
“I can tell you that they have only succeeded in making Kanu and IPOB more popular and respected by all. It means he is giving them sleepless nights, if he were a sell-out, they would not create fake splinter groups to counter him.”
The post In prison, Ipob leader Kanu get massive support appeared first on Nigeria News today & Breaking news | Read Naij.com 24/7.