The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has rejected President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s October 1 Independence Day speech, describing it as divisive, hypocritical, and a deliberate attempt to criminalize the Igbo people.
In a statement issued by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, the group accused the President of using his national broadcast to spread “falsehoods and dangerous propaganda” by likening IPOB to Boko Haram insurgents. The group argued that Tinubu deliberately ignored other violent extremist organizations such as ISWAP, Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb, and Lakaruwa while focusing only on IPOB and Boko Haram, which they said sends “a dangerous message of selective recognition and tacit exoneration of worse groups.”
“A Peaceful Movement, Not a Terror Group”
IPOB insisted that it remains a peaceful, nonviolent self-determination movement recognized internationally, and not a terrorist organization as Tinubu implied. The group recalled that the Federal High Court in Abuja, in March 2017, categorically ruled that IPOB was not a terrorist organization. According to the statement, the controversial ex parte order used by previous governments to proscribe IPOB “cannot legally stand” as it was obtained without a fair hearing.
“Not a shred of credible evidence has ever been produced in court linking IPOB or our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to terrorism, kidnappings, or killings. Yet successive governments have used propaganda and violence to justify the massacre of our people,” the statement said.
Accusations of Double Standards
The separatist group also accused the Tinubu administration of double standards, claiming that while IPOB is demonized, armed Fulani herdsmen responsible for violent attacks across several states are treated with leniency.
“When whole villages are destroyed by armed herdsmen, the government conveniently calls it ‘farmer-herder clashes.’ But when unarmed Igbo youths stage peaceful protests, they are instantly branded terrorists,” IPOB stated, adding that Tinubu’s comments reveal “deep-seated prejudice against the Igbo nation.”
Southeast Politicians Blamed for Betrayal
Beyond the President, IPOB also directed scathing criticism at political leaders from the Southeast, accusing them of betrayal and cowardice. The group described them as “spineless errand boys of Abuja” who have consistently failed to defend the interests of their people.
“Tinubu feels emboldened to insult IPOB because the political class in Igboland has sold out. They invited him into our land to dance on the graves of our people. They will go down in history as traitors,” the group said.
Call for Release of Nnamdi Kanu
Reiterating its demands, IPOB called on Tinubu to respect court rulings ordering the release of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who has been detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) despite multiple judgments in his favor.
“IPOB is not Boko Haram, ISWAP, or Al-Qaeda. We are a people fighting for survival against systemic oppression. Tinubu’s hate-filled rhetoric will not stop the Biafran struggle. Our quest for self-determination is rooted in truth, justice, and international law,” the statement concluded.
