- IPOB thanked Bukola Saraki and southeast senators for rejecting the decision of the army to declare it a terrorist group
- The group called on the National Assembly to investigate its activities
- It asked the Senate to investigate the army in its operation in the southeast
The Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) has thanked Senator Bukola Saraki for saying the army has no right to tag the group a terrorist organisation.
In a statement by Emma Powerful on Friday, September 22, IPOB also thanked southeast senators for also standing by it.
The group called on the National Assembly to investigate their activities as they have nothing to hide.
READ ALSO: Nigerians in Germany protest against Operation Python Dance (photos)
Read the statement below:
We the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) worldwide under the command and leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu wish to commend the caucus of South Eastern Senators and leadership of the Nigerian Senate for standing firm in condemning the prescribing of the peaceful IPOB by the Nigerian government and her judiciary. Your determination in standing up for the sanctity of the rule of law condemnation of the tagging of IPOB as a terrorist organisation have reinforced our belief in the supremacy of the irreducible principles of separation of powers. If not for South East Senators and the outspoken Senate President, the mass executions of innocent IPOB family members would have commenced under the cover of Operation Python Dance II.
Having demonstrated this rare courage in the face of overwhelming tyranny and oppression, we IPOB would gladly welcome any fact finding mission the apex law makers may consider necessary under the circumstance. We would also co-operate with any public commission of inquiry or panel set up by the Senate to ascertain what truly happened before, during and in the aftermath of Operation Python Dance II.
Without prejudicing the outcome of any this or any other Senate inquiry, we see this as a welcome opportunity to demonstrate to all and sundry that IPOB was never, can never and will never bear arms against anybody or state. This is a golden opportunity for Nigerian lawmakers to ascertain the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
That South East lawmakers refused to be cowed into submission to tag IPOB under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as a terrorist and unlawful organisation should be applauded by all lovers of freedom around the world. It represents the triumph of freedom of speech and association over tyranny, brute force and dictatorial tendencies.
PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigeria’s #1 new app
We strongly urge the National Assembly to investigate the activities of IPOB thoroughly because we have nothing to fear. They should also look into the recent killings of unarmed civilian populations in Afaraukwu Umuahia and Aba in the ongoing military occupation of Biafraland.
We are also calling on United Nation UN, European Union EU, African Union AU, ECOWAS, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, USA, Israel, Russia, Britain, Germany, France, and other relevant human rights to probe IPOB and thoroughly investigate the ongoing killings of unarmed and innocent civilians and the military siege of Afaraukwu Ibeku in Umuahia Abia State by the Nigerian Government and her security operatives especially the Army and Police.
Meanwhile, Kanu challenged the court decision to proscribe his group.
Kanu in a motion on notice filed against the Wednesday, September 20, order said the order issued by the court is illegal.
The motion also stressed that the IPOB is a non-violent group and that the Abuja Division of the Federal High made its order based on a motion ex-parte without the presence of other party or parties involved in the matter.
You can watch this NAIJ.com exclusive video of Nnamdi Kanu's father speaking on his son's Biafra agitation below:
Source: Naij.com
ROSY CREST
Friday, 22 September 2017