The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused the Federal Government of transferring its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, to Sokoto Prison in an alleged attempt to secure political support and Northern votes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Gists9ja reports that the group made the allegation in a press statement signed by its Spokesperson and Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful.
Powerful alleged that Kanu’s transfer to Sokoto Prison was intended to portray him as an ethnic trophy and influence political support in the North against opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
According to IPOB, Kanu’s trial, conviction and subsequent transfer to Sokoto were part of a calculated political strategy to use its leader as a bargaining tool in Northern politics.
The group, however, claimed that the alleged strategy had backfired, arguing that some Northern and Fulani leaders, as well as members of the public, had rejected what it described as an attempt to manipulate their political sentiments.
IPOB further accused Britain of complicity in Kanu’s alleged abduction in Kenya and his subsequent extraordinary rendition to Nigeria.
The group also accused the British government of failing to act over what it described as disregard for United Nations calls for Kanu’s release, the alleged disobedience of appellate court decisions discharging him, his conviction under repealed laws and the application of harsh legal measures.
In the statement, IPOB also faulted aspects of the court proceedings, particularly remarks attributed to Justice Omotosho suggesting that Kanu “hates the North with a passion.”
The group described the alleged remarks as deliberate misrepresentation, insisting that its leader does not hate any ethnic group.
Instead, IPOB maintained that Kanu’s struggle is directed against what it described as a corrupt neo-colonial political structure.
The separatist group reiterated its demand for Kanu’s release, insisting that its agitation remains peaceful and that political negotiations or horse-trading would not stop what it described as the eventual triumph of justice.
