The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding that the appeal filed by its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, be listed and heard in court. The separatist group warned that a total boycott of elections across Biafraland and beyond would follow if the demand is not met.
The ultimatum was contained in a statement released on Tuesday by IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, who faulted the slow pace of proceedings following Kanu’s conviction.
According to the group, the Federal Government acted swiftly to prosecute and secure Kanu’s conviction but has shown little urgency in addressing the appeal against that conviction. IPOB also queried the legal basis for both Kanu’s conviction and his continued detention, asking what specific law and offence justified his continued incarceration.
The group noted that a separate case challenging the legality of the continuation of Kanu’s trial — after some counts were earlier struck out — remains pending before the Supreme Court. It insisted the Federal Government must justify both the conviction and the jurisdiction under which the resumed trial proceeded.
IPOB warned that if the appeal is not listed and heard within 14 days, it would declare a total boycott of upcoming elections across Biafraland and beyond.
Responding to criticism that such a boycott could favour President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the group pointed out that it did not call for a boycott during the 2023 elections, noting that its supporters had participated. It argued, however, that the results were disputed and subsequent legal challenges failed to overturn them.
IPOB said this pattern — participation followed by disputed outcomes and unsuccessful litigation — raises doubts about the credibility of the electoral process. It described a coordinated boycott as a legitimate political statement by a people who have lost faith in the system.
The group urged critics of the planned boycott to instead push for Kanu’s appeal to be heard, stressing that the Federal Government has two options: release Kanu unconditionally or appear in court to defend his conviction and the legal basis of his trial.
IPOB restated its call for Kanu’s immediate and unconditional release, warning again that failure to meet the 14-day deadline would trigger a total election boycott across Biafraland and beyond.
READ ALSO:
- Nigerian Man Jailed 44 Weeks in UK for Indecent Act on Train
- APC Chiefs Say Tinubu Is Behind Wike’s Rainbow Coalition
- NDLEA intercepts N3.4bn drugs, arrests fake police officer, auto mechanic
- Akpabio in Italy: We came to pray for Nigeria ravaged by banditry, terrorism
- Catholic bishops urge National Assembly to drop Foreign Aid Bill, warn it threatens civic space
