IPOB: We never told anybody or group to boycott the Anambra election

It has been confirmed by The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as they made it clear that they did not in anyway whatsoever call for the boycott of the Anambra governorship election.

The existence of concerns that the imposed sit-at-home order by IPOB which is observed by the south-east may lead to a low turnout of voters in the governorship election on November 6 in Anambra.

Because of this, the people of Nigeria which includes the socio-cultural organisations to appeal to IPOB that the sit-at-home protest should be suspended in the region.

According to a statement issued on Thursday, the popular Emma Powerful, who is the IPOB spokesperson, confirmed that the group did not call for the boycott of the election and has not in anyway whatsoever asked anyone to impose the sit-at-home order.

The group also confirmed that it has no business with any upcoming election and is only interested in the release of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

in his words: “IPOB wish to correct some misconceptions, unfounded speculations and outright falsehood concerning our position on the forthcoming November 6 governorship election in Anambra state,”

“First of all, we wish to reiterate that IPOB did not at any time, whatsoever issue an order or call for the boycott of the said election contrary to misconceptions in certain quarters. IPOB has absolutely nothing to do with the Anambra election. Nobody should therefore in anyway link us with the election. The freedom of our Leader is exactly what matters to us and we don’t need distractions of any kind.”

“The priority of IPOB has always been to secure the unconditional release of our Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who has been illegally detained since his rendition to Nigeria. All we said was that if by November 4 those who abducted, renditioned and illegally detained him fail to release him unconditionally, Biafrans shall embark on civil disobedience of a one-week sit-at-home beginning from November 5 to November 10.

“This action absolutely has nothing to do with the Anambra election. We are not concerned if anyone wishes to participate or not to participate in the Anambra election. But our only advice to Ndi Anambra especially those contemplating to vote is to be very careful about their security.

“We want to categorically state that IPOB has not asked anybody to monitor or enforce compliance to any sit-at-home as this is unnecessary because Biafrans willingly and consciously obey IPOB’s call for Sit-At-Home.

“Our people are all fed up with their suffering and oppressive conditions imposed upon us by the contraption called Nigeria and do not need any persuasion to do the needful.

“We also wish to totally dissociate IPOB from a viral voice note warning hotel owners in Anambra to shut down from November 4. The said voice note never emanated from IPOB. It’s another handiwork of our oppressors in their desperation to implicate IPOB. We, therefore, urge members of the public to discountenance such rubbish. IPOB under Nnamdi Kanu is not the author.

“We, therefore, warn that anybody caught trying to use the name of IPOB to foment trouble in Anambra State or any part of Biafra land will regret his or her actions. IPOB has never told anybody or group to boycott the Anambra election. We are only interested in the freedom of our leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU.”

It is clear from the statement above that the group has asked the public to disassociate from any information not issued by its approved channels of communication.