The Coalition of South East Professionals Network in Nigeria and Diaspora (CSEPNND) has that the statement released on Sunday by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) stating its opposition on Igbo presidency in 2023, has vindicated its earlier position that IPOB was being sponsored by fifth columnists to destroy the South East region.
IPOB, in a statement by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, had given reasons for its refusal to support Nigerian president of Igbo extraction, alleging that “all the people being prepared for the position are stooges that will be used against the interest of Ndigbo, Biafrans and the Biafra agitating groups”.
But reacting, in a statement made available to Blueprint Monday, signed by its National President, Prof. Madumere Chika, and National Secretary, Mazi Anayo Uchemba, CSEPNND said it was not surprised at the position of the outlawed group, expressing happiness that it alerted the region on the real identities of IPOB and its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu earlier.
Noting that IPOB’s position had really proven its earlier statement that it is being bankrolled by a certain politicians from the South to scuttle Igbo’s quest for presidency in 2023, the group asked people of the region to be vigilant, firm and decisive on what they really want and not succumb to the antics of Nnamdi Kanu and his likes.
The statement reads: “The poorly circulated press release by a terrorist group under the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), published in some few national papers yesterday, expressing its refusal to support the agitation for Igbo presidency come 2023, has vindicated our stand that IPOB and its fugitive leader, Nnamdi Kanu, are anti-Igbo, working with some enemies of Igbo nation to thwart its chance to produce the next president of Nigeria.
“Naturally, any group working for advancement of its people should be at the forefront of issues that would see to the realisation of their yearnings and aspirations. IPOB knows vividly well that the general feeling of the people of the South East is how the region can also be entrusted with Nigeria’s presidency. Ironically, this is not the case here with IPOB! So one would be quick to ask what really is IPOB looking for? We believe strongly that no reasonable group should kick against the progress of its own people as IPOB is currently doing.
“We had earlier alerted our people that desperate politicians feeling threatened of the chances of Igbo to produce the president in 2023 were sponsoring Nnamdi Kanu, leader of outlawed IPOB, to scuttle the bid. The position of IPOB has obviously confirmed this. They are traitors, hence we must rise up and end their activities in Igbo land now.
“At this point that almost every Nigerian is clamoring for Igbo presidency, the best thing for IPOB is to embrace the move and work to its realisation if actually it’s out to work for the betterment Igbo nation.”
They added: “Like we said earlier, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not working for the interest of Ndigbo, rather he is being bankrolled by a certain Nigerian politician, who is contesting the 2023 presidential elections from the South against the Igbos. We are vindicated by this unpatriotic statement by IPOB, and we call on all Ndigbo around the world to distance themselves from Kanu and his terrorist group.
“Some politicians, having realized that the general mood in the country now is for Igbo presidency in 2023, become threatened and want to pick a cheap traitor from our region to thwart the bid. We must not fall for this. This is why we have always warned people on the character of Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB, that they are on a self- serving mission and not working for an Igbo agenda.
“Their aim is to portray the Igbos as enemies of Nigeria who don’t deserve the presidency. The simple logic is that you can’t be fighting for the presidency of a country you do not believe in. This is the evil agenda these politicians are trying to sell to Nigerians using our own very son. We must never allow this evil plot to succeed. Kanu cannot trade the destinies of Igbos for his own personal comfort. It must be clear that Kanu does not love Ndigbo like he claims. Rather, he is our enemy.”
They stated further: “As Igbo processionals, we wish to inform all that Kanu is alone in his cessation project and has no reasonable person behind him. Though our people are highly marginalized and deserve the right for agitation, but that must be done legally and by the appropriate people not a deviant young man like Nnamdi Kanu who is out for his selfish interest.
“Igbo deserves the presidency this time around as according to it, they have all it takes to produce the next president of Nigeria. We cannot be demanding for president of Nigeria on one hand and on the other hand, supporting IPOB and Kanu,being financed by desperate politicians to cause disaffection in our region,” it warned.
“We believe in one united Nigeria where justice and fairness reigns. We have invested so much in the nation and would not be party to its destruction under any guise. From experience, cessation or separatist movements have never really solved the problems of nations. Rather, dialogue and engagements with all parties to address the underlying issues have often yielded positive results.”
