Ipob calls off its boycott of Anambra governorship elections suspending its sit-at-home order

SECESSIONIST group the Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob) has called off its one-week sit-at-home order ahead of the forthcoming Anambra State gubernatorial elections after having consulted with local community leaders.

On Saturday November 6, Anambrans go to the polls to elect a new governor and Ipob had originally asked members of the public to shun the exercise by sitting at home. With the elections looming now, however, Ipob spokesman Emma Powerful, said that the organisation has called off the action after the intervention of their elders, esteemed traditional rulers and religious leaders.

He then asked Anambrans to exercise their civic right by coming out en-mass to vote for their candidate in the elections. Tomorrow's elections are a three-horse race between the All Progressives Grand Alliance, the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress.

Mr Powerful said: “Following the genuine  intervention of our elders, esteemed traditional institutions/rulers and religious leaders and after a due consideration of the positive impacts of their engagement, and sequel to the fact that our elders have spoken in our terms , the leadership of Ipob ably lead by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu hereby and immediately calls off the one week sit-at-home declared to commence between November 5 and November 10, 2021. We have equally considered several appeals by our mothers who earn their living based on their daily economic activities which will obviously be affected if Biafra land is locked down for one whole week.

"It’s never our intention to add to the pains of our people, hence our decision to suspend the sit-at-home. Ipob  leadership is only interested in our referendum and peaceful agitation for self determination and cannot by under any guise be seen to be interfering with any electoral process.

“The people of Anambra State should go out en-masse and peacefully exercise their franchise come 6th November 20121  and accordingly, chose a leader of their choice and should not be intimidated by anybody, group of persons or security agents. Anambrans should vote and standby to protect their votes, no rigging of any kind will be tolerated in the Anambra State governorship election. It must be transparent, free and fair to all.

“We wish to thank Biafrans, Ipob members worldwide, friends of Biafra and lovers of freedom for their continued support for our dogged struggle for independence. May we therefore, warn detractors, traitors and enemies of Biafra not to cause confusion by imputing motives to our decision.

"Ipob doesn’t expect anybody to observe, monitor or enforce the suspended order otherwise such action will be considered a rebellion to the highest leadership of our global movement. On the other hand, our oppressors should not take our decision as an act of cowardice as Ipob still believes that our elders, religious leaders, political leaders and various stakeholders will live up to their promises in their engagements and efforts towards securing the unconditional release of  our leader.

“We therefore urge all Biafrans and residents of Biafra to go about their lawful businesses without fear of any molestations. All agents of darkness recruited by our enemies to inflict pains on our people under the guise of enforcing the sit-at-home are hereby warned to steer clear or brace up for the consequences of their evil action.

“Ipob will not relent in our  pursuit for Biafra freedom.  Nigeria government must give us date for Biafra referendum to decide where we want to belong.”