By Uche Mbah
Garba Shehu’s allegation that the leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra, IPOB, leader, Nnamdi Kanu, has been spending money from ”unknown sources” to tarnish the image of Nigeria by claiming that Christians are killed in Nigeria may have sparked off a wave of demonstrations in Abia state that resulted in arrests by security agencies.
Demonstrators Monday reportedly took over the streets of Abia state chanting songs and drabbed in the traditional Biafran flag, condemning the killings in Nigeria. There have been recent reports of systematic killings by herdsmen in Southern Kaduna in recent times, and the state government appeared helpless to deal with the situation.
According to eye witness accounts, the demonstrations took off from the popular ala Oji flyover in Ugwunagbo local council and terminated at Ariaria market. Sporadic shootings were heard around Ariaria, but besides that, the demonstrations were said to be peaceful.
Recall that Garba Shehu, Presidential spokesperson, had accused Nnamdi Kanu of using Christian persecution to blackmail Nigeria among the comity of nations. This was contained in a release which read in part:
“For reasons of convenience, (Nnamdi Kanu) claims to have an interest in the welfare of Christians – but this is a ruse: the case for independence, the leader believes, is strengthened by ‘proving’ the government of Nigeria is ‘autocratic’, engaged in a ‘silent slaughter’ of their own citizens along religious and ethnic lines – and that therefore the only viable option for the unique religious and ethnic minority is a sovereign Biafra separate from Nigeria,” the statement read.
“Nigerians and the international community are advised to be wary of this divisive campaign, which available evidence shows is being funded with monthly spending of $85,000 USD since October 2019, with no records of the source of this largesse.
“The campaign consists of producing articles in the names of the alleged Christian NGOs’ leaders (of campaign groups created at the time this PR contract with a US lobbying firm was signed) and letters to and from members of Congress to the White House.
“Unfortunately, some members of Congress have clearly been persuaded there is indeed “Christian persecution” underway in Nigeria – and do so quoting the campaign – and they are known to be taking up the case directly with the White House to appoint the special envoy.
“The American charity secured a meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and has made presentations to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom.
“There is also the UK and European angle of the Campaign, which is more opaque than its US sister campaign – given there is a less legal requirement for public filings – but what is known of this at the moment is that their budget is sufficient to hire four PR firms in the UK, Belgium, France, and the US.”
