By Charles Igbo
The Mazi Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, has received a tacit support from the United Kingdom. In an action that shocked the Federal Government, the UK Government said it would grant asylum to any member of IPOB and the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB.
IPOB, which Leader, Kanu, is a British citizen, has since been proscribed by the Federal Government, and labelled a Terrorist organisation.
Both IPOB and MASSOB, especially IPOB, are asking for freedom, and an independent Republic of Biafra, something the Nigerian Government is averse to, accusing both organisations of trying to destabilise Nigeria.
The Government was counting on the British Government for help, particularly as Kanu is not only resident in the UK with his family, but is their citizen.
But in a move that took the Nigerian Government by surprise, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) released new guidelines on how to treat asylum applications by members of Biafran secessionist groups.
The guideline focuses on if a person “who actively and openly supports IPOB is likely to be at risk of arrest and detention, and ill-treatment which is likely to amount to persecution”.
The Federal Government, reacting, expressed both shock and disappointment at the decision of the United Kingdom, accusing the UK of disrespecting Nigeria, and encouraging terrorist activities in the country.
Speaking on behalf of Nigeria, Minister for Information and Culture Lai Mohammed described the decision as “disrespectul” to the Nigerian government, adding that it “sabotages the fight against terrorism and generally undermining Nigeria’s security.”
Mohammed: “Let me say straightaway that this issue is within the purview of the Honourable Minister of foreign affairs and I am sure he will handle it appropriately.
“But as the spokesman for the Federal Government of Nigeria, I will say that if indeed the report that the UK will grant asylum to supposedly persecuted IPOB and MASSOB members is true, then something is wrong somewhere.
“Against the background of the fact that IPOB is not only proscribed but also designated as a terrorist organisation here in Nigeria, the UK’s decision is disrespectful of Nigeria as a nation.
“The decision amounts to sabotaging the fight against terrorism and generally undermining Nigeria’s security.
“It is not only unconscionable, it is inexplicable. For the UK to choose this time to give succour to IPOB beggars belief and calls to question the UK’s real intention.
“If we could go down the memory lane, what the UK has done is like Nigeria offering asylum to members of the IRA before the 1998 Good Friday Peace Agreement.”
Mohammed accused IPOB of being the group behind the recent attacks on security operatives in the South-East, an allegation IPOB vehemently denies.
But appreciating the UK’s magnanimity in granting asylum to IPOB members who feel persecuted by the Nigerian Government, the organisation said IPOB wanted more.
In a statement signed by its Spokesman, Emma Powerful, said IPOB wanted a Referendum and not asylum.
The statement reads:
“We the global family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our great and indomitable leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has noted with satisfaction the news that the United Kingdom has agreed to grant asylum to persecuted Biafra agitators resident in the UK.
“While we commend them for this bold initiative, we wish to most graciously remind them that what we Biafrans need and cherish the most is referendum and not asylum in the UK. We are tired of living in bondage in the devilish contraption called Nigeria they single-handedly created.
“We would not wish our children, now and generations unborn, to share the same geo-political space with those that reward terrorists and criminalize law abiding citizens. We particularly thank the UK government for confirming what the rest of the civilized world already know that the great IPOB worldwide family are not TERRORISTS but peaceful agitators and freedom fighters.
“That Nigeria is a country run by terrorists for the benefit of terrorists has been confirmed by this noble move by the United Kingdom. Aso Rock, the seat of power in Nigeria is a terrorist haven with serving ministers who are openly sympathetic to terrorists and their activities comi ng and going as they please, while freedom fighters are languishing in jail. We want freedom not asylum.”
The FG is likely to invite the British High Commissioner to protest the asylum offer to IPOB and MASSOB members.
Meanwhile both Ohaneze and Afenifere have supported the UK action.
