The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has lambasted the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, for calling on Anambra people to boycott forthcoming gubernatorial poll in the state.
The party, in a statement on Monday signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Ifeatu Obiokoye, said the call was “irresponsible and devoid of focus”.
APGA said Kanu was becoming arrogant, advising the IPOB leader to drop his “emperor” perception of himself “and be humble to the true leadership of Ndigbo for a proper and better articulation of the Biafra struggle”.
It noted that Kanu had no authority to speak for the Igbos, noting that Biafra’s concept was a metaphor for the demand for equity and fair play in the Nigeria state and not a separatist movement.
“Nnamdi Kanu’s call for a boycott of elections in the South-East, beginning with the governorship polls scheduled for November 18, 2017 in Anambra is irresponsible, irredentist and totally devoid of any focus.
“One must appreciate that for different logical reasons and perception, the Biafra concept has attracted favourable comments among our people, ostensibly borne out of the marginalisation of Ndigbo in the Nigerian state.
“While youths of the East are agitating for Biafra, the Arewa youths are equally restive; the same goes for Níger Delta youths and youths from Oduduwa states.
“In this popular agitation for Biafra, Ndigbo have not instituted a separatist movement or a terrorist gang as it were. We are more concerned about the continued existence of Nigeria under the present structural arrangement”, the statement read.
The party said that it stood for restructuring and implementation of the 2014 National Conference resolutions “as a certain way to peaceful co-existence among ethnic nationalities and for dousing tension”.
APGA warned Kanu not to be carried away by the success of the May 30 sit-at-home call, which it attributed to fear.
The party reminded Kanu that the right to vote and be voted for was a universally declared right under the United Nations Charter of People’s and Citizenship Right, and in the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Comments