Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, says no amount of pressure would make him abandon his quest for restoration of Republic of Biafra as doing so would amount to betrayal.
Kanu made the vow in Umuahia in an interview with News Express Tuesday during which he revealed what transpired when he met with South East governors recently in Enugu last week.
The Radio Biafra Director, who denied media reports that he has gone underground for fear of being re-arrested, said he also met with leadership of Alaigbo Development Foundation last Monday in Owerri, in continuation of his consultations with Igbo leaders on how to actualise Biafra.
Disclosing what he discussed with South East Governors, Kanu said he put his demands before them for onward transmission to the Federal Government, insisting that he would never compromise his stance on the independence of Biafra.
According to Kanu, restoration of Biafra was non-negotiable as anything to the contrary would amount to betrayal.
“I laid down before the Governors what we want from the Federal Government, and that is the restoration of the Republic of Biafra. Nothing has changed; our position is still the same. What we want is referendum on Biafra. We have told them what we want, and we cannot compromise that position. So, let them convey same to the Federal Government. No more, no less,” Kanu said.
He said though he has deep respect for elders but “no amount of pressure or persuasion” would make him drop the agitation for Biafra “because that is why I was born.”
He called on “Biafrans all over the world to remain resolute, determined and focused on the struggle, saying that he was confident that Biafra would soon be realised.
He insisted on boycotting the November 18, 2017 Anambra Governorship election, maintaining that there will be no more elections on any Biafran territory until the Federal Government conducts referendum on Biafra.
On media reports that he has gone underground following moves by the Federal Government to re-arrest him, Kanu declared that he would never go into hiding because he was never moved by threats.
“There is no way a person of my status and position will go underground. It is not possible. I lead from the front. I announced my arrival into Nigeria and I came. I am not afraid of anybody and can never be,” he added.
“Nigeria should be afraid of me and not me being afraid of them,” he said, urging the media to remain objective and accurate in their reportage.
Kanu described his meeting with the leadership of Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) in Owerri as a family meeting which outcome “will guide us in our efforts towards restoring Biafra.”
ADF delegation was led by its National President, Professor Uzodinma Nwala, while Kanu led the top hierarchy of IPOB to the meeting which lasted for about three hours.
He said the meeting was in fulfilment of his promise to periodically update ADF on IPOB activities and expressed delight that the Igbo elite have woken from their slumber and came to terms with the realities on the need for Ndigbo to unite and take their destiny in their hands.
“I am glad that the elite are coming on board. We are all elite, including the carpenter and the mechanic by the road side who have understanding of the times. As long as they can make sense and articulate their views and channel it towards emancipating our people.
“Elitism is not purely on academics; it has to do with being able to articulate a sense of purpose for a people and pursuing it doggedly,” he said.
ADF is a pan-Igbo group comprising accomplished Igbo personalities, professionals, academics and the intelligentsia, both home and abroad, who are vigorously pursuing the Igbo cause,
The group had penultimate week, petitioned the United Nations over the genocidal quit notice by Arewa youths to Ndigbo living in the North as well as the Igbo hate song, accusing the Federal Government of docility and maintaining criminal silence.
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