The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has launched a scathing response to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, demanding concrete evidence for his assertion that 30,000 individuals lost their lives in the South East due to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu's activities.
IPOB's Forceful Denial
In a strongly worded statement released through their Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, the separatist movement completely rejected Senator Kalu's claims. The group emphasized that Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB bear zero responsibility for any deaths among Igbo people or damage to businesses in the Eastern region.
IPOB expressed outrage at what they described as fabricated statements from the Abia North senator, accusing him of deliberately undermining their movement for political gain. The organization stated they are particularly angered given their historical relationship with the senator.
Counter-Allegations and Historical Context
The group turned the tables on Kalu, alleging that the insecurity and violence in the South East were actually orchestrated by the Nigerian government and certain politicians from the region. According to IPOB, these elements deliberately created chaos to blackmail both IPOB and its security wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
IPOB reminded the public that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu had previously advocated for Kalu during the senator's imprisonment for embezzlement of state funds. They described Kalu's current position as the ultimate betrayal, using the proverb 'a leopard can never change its spots' to characterize the senator's actions.
Serious Allegations of Collusion
The statement contained explosive allegations against Senator Kalu, claiming he was part of a group that collaborated with the APC and Tinubu's government to imprison Nnamdi Kanu. IPOB asserted that Kalu specifically pressured Justice James Omotosho to deliver what they called a 'severely unjust sentence' against their leader.
IPOB further accused Kalu of being involved in the abduction and extraordinary rendition of Nnamdi Kanu to Nigeria. They challenged the senator to remember his status as a 'former convict' and warned that his 'struggles aren't finished' since records of his offenses would eventually surface.
The group also referenced Kalu's ongoing trial with the EFCC and alleged that during his time as governor, he exploited the Bakassi boys' movement against political opponents. They described Kalu as a 'political risk' who would do anything to satisfy governing parties to conceal his wrongdoings.
Call for Independent Investigation
IPOB reiterated their long-standing demand for impartial investigations into the violence and deaths occurring in the South East since 2015. They noted that to date, the government and politicians have prevented any independent inquiry into these matters.
The statement concluded with a stark warning that certain Eastern politicians, especially those in the APC, are complicit in the insecurity affecting the Southeast, drawing parallels with Northern elites' alleged involvement in terrorist activities in the North.
IPOB's forceful rebuttal sets the stage for continued political tension in the region as both sides dig in their positions regarding responsibility for the area's security challenges.
