The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has cautioned Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, against leveraging the name of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, for his personal political agenda.
MUK TV recalls that the Deputy Speaker recently launched the Peace the In South East Project (PISE-P), a campaign he described as a “non-kinetic” move to achieving peace in the geopolitical zone ravaged by IPOB’s incessant sit-at-home orders.
In a strongly worded statement released on Wednesday, IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, accused Kalu of exploiting Kanu’s situation to advance his political interests and deceive the public.
The statement emphasized that Kalu has continuously used Kanu’s predicament to pursue political gains, misrepresenting his efforts as supportive of the release of Nnamdi Kanu, a claim deemed disingenuous by IPOB.
“We advise Hon. Benjamin Kalu to refrain from using IPOB and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s political persecution for his selfish political interest. We have gone past the stage of political games and gimmicks,” the secessional group warned.
According to Powerful, IPOB asserted that Kalu’s association with APC stooges and political jobbers undermines the genuine quest for Kanu’s release from unlawful detention by the Federal government.
IPOB’s statement also highlighted the pivotal role of the group and Kanu in safeguarding Southeastern villages from potential terrorist occupation, criticizing opportunistic politicians, businessmen, and religious elites for collaborating with adversaries to undermine IPOB and Kanu’s cause.
“If not for IPOB, ESN, and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, many Southeastern villages would have been occupied by terrorists.
“Mass burial graves and IDP camps would have been the lot of Ndigbo. But Chukwu Okike forbids that. Instead of supporting IPOB and ESN to keep our land safe, these greedy and insatiable politicians, some businessmen, and even religious elites are colluding with our enemies to destroy IPOB and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
The warning further admonished Kalu and his associates, cautioning against manipulative attempts to capitalize on IPOB, ESN, and Nnamdi Kanu for political advantage.
“Ndigbo and the public should ignore Benjamin Kalu and Co. They cannot deceive the intelligent men and women in IPOB and Biafrans in general. We know their plans, and they will face the consequences of their actions when the right time comes.
“We are calling the family and associates of Benjamin Kalu to advise him to refrain from using IPOB and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to climb for his political interests. The political gathering of the enemies of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB in his house at Bende, Abia State, recently is a very suspicious move.
“At this point of our struggle, we are not happy and would not be kind to anyone putting the life of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, in danger for whatever reasons.
“Hon. Benjamin Kalu should advise President Tinubu not to allow our leader to die in their custody or detention knowing about our Leader’s precarious health conditions. If he dies in their detention facility, the consequences will be left unimagined.
“Hon. Benjamin Kalu, please be careful and stop using ESN, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and IPOB for political gimmicks and trade-offs. Stop your deceptive public show of love for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu because deep down, you’re against his vision.
“If indeed you’re interested in his release, work your talk. Until then, stop using Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s persecution to pursue your political interests with the APC and Tinubu’s government.”
“Benjamin Kalu, you are taking credit for IPOB and ESN Operatives work during this last year’s yuletide season.”
IPOB underscored the necessity for genuine actions over empty promises, urging Kalu to prioritize securing Kanu’s release and calling for a UN referendum for Biafrans to determine their destiny.
“The only peaceful meeting you can call is to call for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and call for the UN to give us a referendum date for Biafrans to decide their fate either to stay in Nigeria or to restore Biafra Nation,” the statement added.
