No Kanu, no talk with Buhari, says IPOB

The Indigenous People of Biafra on Wednesday said it would not enter into any dialogue with the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari in the absence of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu. It stated that nothing short of unconditional release of its leader would be acceptable. The group described the continued detention of Kanu as an impunity and disrespect for the constitution of the country. It said, “For Buhari to continue to keep Kanu in custody after a court of competent jurisdiction had granted him (Kanu) bail is enough corruption.” The group said it was a waste of time for the Federal Government to think that they would enter into dialogue with IPOB without first releasing Kanu. It maintained that no pressure would make Kanu betray his supporters and the Biafra cause. “They don’t know this man called Nnamdi Kanu. They can’t intimidate Kanu by dumping him in prison. He can’t beg anybody for his freedom.” A release by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, made available to newsmen in Awka, Anambra State, read in part, “Instead of our leader to renounce Biafra, he would renounce Nigeria publicly, mark our words. “We are not after securing bail for our leader; we are after his freedom and freedom for the people of Biafra. “Even a child born today knows that any attempt to tamper with Nnamdi Kanu’s life will bring about catastrophic consequences.” “Should anything happen to Kanu, Somalia will be a paradise, compared to what will happen in Nigeria. “We are not asking for anything short of his immediate and unconditional release, as ordered by an Abuja Federal High Court.”