Our sit-at-home must happen, IPOB boasts

Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) has said no amount of threat or sabotage would cow its members and supporters from going ahead with the May 30 sit-at-home programme to remember fallen heroes and heroines.

IPOB specifically accused the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, Governors Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State and Willie Obiano of Anambra State as those in the forefront of attacking them.

A statement by IPOB’s Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, also claimed that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and some unnamed Igbo groups were part of their problems in Igbo land.

It said: “It has been brought to our attention that the usual suspects are at it once again, in their bid to undermine the collective will of all patriotic and genuine children of Biafra to honour those that died for us and the 3.5 million victims of the second largest holocaust in modern history.

“Rather than be angry, we feel pity for these collections of desperados who through their hatred for freedom and historical ignorance are canvassing that 12 hours of buying and selling is more important than honouring the brave people that fought for many to live.

“It is the height of ingratitude, treachery, and exhibition of crass ignorance that those who claim to be educated in this day and age do not understand the significance nor appreciate the symbolism of honouring those unjustly killed.

“That Nnia Nwodo’s Ohaneze and Dave Umahi have come out yet again to lead the effort to discredit and dishonour the spirit of 3.5 million victims of genocide is inexcusable, to say the least.

“To equate the momentous and solemn remembrance of the 3.5 million victims of genocide with twelve hours of economic activity is an unpardonable crime both before God and man.

“These same Igboland leaders bore witness to the recent visit of Yemi Osinbajo, the Nigerian vice president to Rwanda to remember the 150,000 victims of genocide. Why didn’t they issue a statement condemning Yemi Osinbajo for attending the memorial in Rwanda?

“What Nnia Nwodo and Dave Umahi are saying, in essence, is that 150,000 Rwandan genocide victims are more important than the 3.5 million of their own people (Biafrans) slaughtered in similar circumstances between 1967 to 1970.

“Any leader worth his salt would canvass for Nigeria to understand the need to declare May 30th a national public holiday but not these traitors. All they care about is their little competition to see who among them will win their coveted Best Fulani Slave in the South East and South-South Award 2019.

“Leaders who claim to be educated and whose education should have taught them the historic importance, symbolism, and essence of remembering victims of an unjust war are the ones trying their desperate best to discourage their people from observing a day of prayers and reflection.

“Israel, only a few days ago observed the annual Jewish holocaust memorial. This event has been running for over 70 years. Last year 2018 November 11, world leaders attended the Armistice Day commemoration in Paris to remember those that fell in the First World War. This remembrance has been running for over 100 years.

“Britain that created Nigeria observe the same annual 11th minute of the 11th hour of the 11th month at the Cenotaph in London every year without fail. Only those with a history of colluding with the enemy like Ohanaeze and Igbo governors can come out against honoring the memory of their own people.

“We know we live in an era of betrayal when condemning activities of IPOB is considered a lucrative business because it attracts the attention of Aso Rock which often leads to financial reward. All inconsequential mushroom groups struggle among themselves to castigate IPOB on the sit-at-home program with the intent to curry favours from Aso Rock but they will have themselves to blame in the future.

“Some unscrupulous individuals, groups and politicians particularly some Igbo governors and Ohaneze Ndigbo can rant all they like on the pages of newspapers, we IPOB must remember our fallen heroes and heroines who paid the ultimate price that our generation to be alive today.

“We are urging Biafrans, friends Biafra and lovers of freedom across the globe to heed this patriotic and candid call for Biafra freedom and ignore all traitors and caliphate slaves within.

“We, IPOB must remain undeterred irrespective of the renewed sponsored media attacks, false propaganda, arrest, and torture by the Nigerian Government and her security operatives, supported by David Umahi of Ebonyi, Willie Obiano of Anambra, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia and Nnia Nwodo’s Ohanaeze Ndigbo. In the end, they will be held accountable for their actions because in the end IPOB always wins”, IPOB said in the statement.