Ipob backs down on its threat to disrupt Anambra governorship elections in November

SECESSIONIST campaign group the Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob) has called off its threat to stop the November 18 governorship elections in Anambra State unless the government organises a referendum before then.

Over the last two years, Ipob has been campaigning vigorously for the recreation of the defunct republic of Biafra that existed briefly between July 1967 and January 1970. On November 18, Anambrans go to the polls to elect a new governor and Ipob had threatened to prevent the elections from going ahead unless a referendum on Biafra took place first.

Ipob's threat has been widely condemned by numerous Igbo leaders who claim it is an affront to democracy and yesterday, the group's leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu agreed to back down. After a meeting with non-governmental organisation Ala Igbo Development Foundation in Owerri, the Imo State capital yesterday. Mazi Kanu, said Ipob will now allow the elections to go ahead as planned.

Mazi Kanu said, “I came because of my respect for elders as Ipob is not a violent group. We are law abiding citizens of the society and what we agreed here today will guide us in the issue of Anambra election.

"I will go and meet with the leadership of Ipob. Eligible voters in Anambra have therefore been advised to go out and exercise their franchise without fear of molestation."

Professor Uzodimma Nwala, the president of Ala Igbo Development Foundation, said: “As you see in our midst, you see our brother Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. We have come to discuss the issue of mutual concern, especially on the Anambra election and we are happy he is here with us.

“We are glad he has explained to us the reason they issued the boycott order and that it is not his personal decision but that of the Ipob leadership. We are meeting for the first time and will still meet again. No decision has been taken.”