IPOB Locksdown South-east For Six Days; Fears Over Anambra Election

By Charles Igbo

The November 6, 2021, Anambra Governorship Election is under a serious threat of not holding.

The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, says it will lock down the South-east for six days beginning from November 4, unless its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is unconditionally released from the custody of the Federal Government.

The threat was contained in a statement released Saturday, and signed by its Spokesman, Emma Powerful.

The group, while apologising for the inconvenience it would cause the people of the Zone, said it had no other choice but to do that since it had become clear to it that the Federal Government had no plans to release Kanu, but intends to keep him in custody through  frivolous hearing adjournments.

IPOB said its leader did absolutely nothing to warrant his being kept in custody.

Kanu appeared at an FCT Federal High Court on October 21, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges against him which include terrorism and treasonable felony.

On Friday, October 22, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, addressed a Press Conference where he accused Kanu and IPOB of being responsible for the murder of over 173 people, including security agents, Dr Chike Akunyili, and Barr. Ahmed Gulak.

But IPOB says the Federal Government plans to keep Kanu in custody in perpetuity, and keep tormenting him.

Part of the statement reads; “We wish to inform Biafrans, friends of Biafra, and lovers of freedom that IPOB will lock down Biafra land from 5th of November to 10th of November, except Sunday November 7th, a day our people worship the Almighty God, Chukwu Abiama.

“Following the adjournment of our great leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu Court case to 10th of November, 2021 by the Federal High Court,  Abuja, we, the great movement and family of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, wish to inform Biafrans, friends of Biafrans and lovers of freedom that IPOB will lock down Biafra land that  from 5th of November to the 10th of November, except Sunday, November 7th, a day our people worship the Almighty God, Chukwu Abiama, if the Nigerian Government fails to release our Leader unconditionally before 4th of November, 2021.

“Our leader, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu MUST be released UNCONDITIONALLY on, or before November 4, 2021, because he has not committed any offense known to any law. Failure to release our leader Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi KANU on, or before  November 4, 2021, our one week sit-at-home begins on November 5, 2021, till November 10.”

Analysts say they saw this threat coming. They saw the threat is targeted at the November 6 Anambra Governorship election. For weeks, the speculation has been on that IPOB said it would not allow the election to take place. However, the Group denied it, saying it had taken no such decision.

This, analysts say, is the decision.

IPOB had earlier threatened it would order a one month sit-at-home if Kanu was not brought to Court on October 21. He was brought to Court.

Said an elder statesman, “Seeing that Kanu appeared in Court, this threat is another ploy to sabotage the Anambra election because they know nobody is going to release him on, or before November 4th. The target is the election.”

A few days ago at a Security meeting, President Muhammadu Buhari had enjoined his Security Chiefs to do everything to ensure that the Anambra November 6 election takes place.