A former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku has turned down a request by the Indigenous People of Biafra to speak on its behalf at a meeting expected to be organised between Biafra supporters and US congressmen.
The group also named former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme as one of its spokesmen.
In a statement by IPOB’s spokesmen, Emma Mmezu and Clifford Iroanya, the group said: “It has come to the notice of IPOB that some selfish individuals, who deliberately misconstrue our genuine intentions towards the restoration of Biafra are busy parading themselves as elders or custodians of our present agitation.
“Once again we have been reliably informed that Ohaneze Ndigbo have once again hijacked the proposed visit of US Congressmen to Biafraland, thereby positioning themselves as the mouthpiece of IPOB which is blatantly false.
“We have not mandated this group called Ohaneze to represent IPOB in any capacity. That US Congressmen are in Biafraland today is as a result of the hard work of IPOB all over the world in lobbying these US lawmakers.”
“IPOB would like the world to know that we have credible traditional rulers, elder statesmen and respectable Biafrans capable of representing IPOB at these talks with the Americans.”
“IPOB has chosen Dr Arthur Nwankwo, Dr Alex Ekwueme, Archbishop Anthony Obinna, Gen. Alex Maduebo, Prof Ben Nwabueze, Chief Emeka Anyoku, as credible elders who will speak the truth without being easily compromised.”
However, Anyaoku said he had not been contacted by the pro-Biafra group, noting that he would not accept the nomination.
“I have not been approached nor would I be willing to undertake such an assignment in the present circumstances,’’ he said.
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