Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, says approving a date for referendum in Nigeria by the Federal Government is the only condition that would make the November 18 governorship election possible in Anambra State.
He stated that the current situation of things in the country cannot continue, insisting that the time has come when people should be allowed to decide what they want from Nigeria.
Speaking in Enugu after receiving three awards from Igbo Students, Eastern Consultative Assembly and Igbo Women Assembly, Kanu explained that Biafra has come to stay.
He said: “There will be no election in Anambra State come November 18, 2017 and there won’t be any going forward until they give me a date for referendum. They know what to do. It is very simple. They should convene a meeting, I will attend or I will send my representative. That is the only way they can have election if not, there won’t be any.”
Ask whether such position would not lead to bloodshed, especially now that Ohanaeze Ndigbo and other Igbo leaders have distanced themselves from the call, he said: “I am not bothered over that because the people are with us; we control the people one hundred per cent and come to Anambra on November 18, the world will be amazed at what will happen. We are entirely a peaceful people. We are not stopping anybody from voting. We are democrats.”
However, a pro-Biafran group, the Biafra Reformist Movement (BRM), yesterday asked Anambra electorate to prepare to vote on November 18, for any governorship candidate of their choice.
The group, in Enugu faulted Kanu’s position, saying such would set the Igbo backwards as well as thwart the realisation of Biafra.
Leader of the group, Mr. Ndubuisi Igwekani, called on the people of Anambra and other Nigerians resident in the state, to discharge their civic obligation by turning out enmasse to exercise their franchise on that day.
Igwekani cautioned that any attempt to stage a boycott of the election will impact negatively on the development of Igbo land and the Biafra struggle.
In another development, traffic yesterday was halted for several hours in Abakaliki when Kanu and his group stormed the state capital in a long convoy.
Speaking to the people that came out to welcome him, Kanu vowed to continue the struggle for the actualisation of Biafra noting that he will shut down Ebonyi for three days.
His words: “Nobody can stop Biafra because Biafra has come to stay.’’
I will transverse all parts of Biafra land and other areas without anybody stopping me.’’
