The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) described the upcoming general elections as a “jamboree” and said they have no interest in participating. In a statement released on Monday, spokesperson Emma Powerful said the proscribed separatist group’s only demand is a date for a referendum on whether to remain in a united Nigeria or become an independent Biafran nation. IPOB disavowed any involvement in the recent attacks on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) facilities in the South‑East, particularly in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State and Orsuihiteukwa in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State. The group also denied rumors of a fresh sit‑at‑home order in the region.
“IPOB condemns the recent attacks on INEC offices and staff in Ihiala LGA, Anambra State,” Powerful said. “The criminal gangs operating in Ihiala LGA and Orsuihiteukwa in Orsu LGA, Imo State are primarily funded and sponsored by unscrupulous politicians to demonise IPOB and ESN operatives. We have no interest in the selection process called the Nigerian election, so we refrained from commenting on the jamboree. Our only demand is a referendum date to decide our political, social and economic future.”
She added that neither IPOB nor the Eastern Security Network (ESN) instructed any group to attack INEC facilities, nor did they issue any sit‑at‑home order during the election period. “Anyone linking IPOB to the malicious sit‑at‑home order must be very ignorant. IPOB disseminates information only through its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, or an official memo signed by the Head of the Directorate of State of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Chika Edoziem. Any IPOB public information not from these channels should be disregarded.”
IPOB emphasized that the attacks on INEC facilities do not serve its struggle, which it seeks to achieve through peaceful means rather than violence.
Meanwhile, Bruce Fein, the international counsel for detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, accused British High Commissioner to Nigeria Catriona Laing of complicity in Kanu’s continued detention by the Nigerian government. In a letter titled “Sabotage of immediate, unconditional release of UK citizen Nnamdi Kanu pursuant UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Opinion No. 25/2022,” Fein alleged that Laing was personally obstructing Kanu’s release, violating jus cogens norms of international law. He cited the United Nations Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention’s July 20, 2022 opinion, which called for Kanu’s immediate and unconditional release and condemned his kidnapping, torture, extraordinary rendition, and prolonged detention without trial by Nigeria, allegedly in collusion with Kenya.
Fein contrasted the UK’s stance on Russia’s violation of international law in Ukraine with its alleged encouragement of Nigeria to continue Kanu’s illegal detention. He questioned the UK’s motives, suggesting they might be driven by oil, gas, or lucrative business arrangements.
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