IPOB: A victim of political, elite conspiracy, says chieftain

A Chieftain of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Chilota Dunu, has said that the group’s objectives have been misconstrued, stressing that the organisation has become a victim of political and elite conspiracy.

Dunu stated that the group was borne out of the desire to address marginalisation of South East people in the country, regretting that its infiltration by politicians had not only whittled down its objectives but also sent wrong signals about its intentions.

He noted that the group is not a terrorist organisation, and has no business bearing dangerous weapons to achieve its objectives.

The IPOB chieftain stressed that all the group wanted was to bring to the fore deprivation, injustice, imbalance and unfairness in the way leaders have administered the country against Igbo, which is an important segment of the country.

He said: “Instead of finding a way to address issues of our struggle, members of the group are being branded terrorists, posing danger to survival of the country. All I can tell you is that there is nothing wrong with people making agitations over one form of injustice or the other. Our demand has always been that we should be treated fairly; that we should be allowed to co-exist equally with others.

“That it is unfair that we are the least in terms of states in Nigeria; that successive administrations have continued to make appointments without regard to the federal character; that allocation of projects are not even, and that we also have right to aspire to the highest office in the land, among others.

“Now, it is over 50 years since the war ended, and the ‘no victor no vanquished’ mantra has not been kept.

“We decided to say no; since you don’t want to address these imbalances, allow us to be on our own. But they said it is not desirable. They will not allow us to go, and will not address the ill-treatments. That is the bone of contention.”

Dunu alleged that some armed criminals are parading the region, causing mayhem and killing innocent people, to create impression that IPOB is a violent group.

“I can tell you IPOB is not a violent organisation. We are not armed and will not do anything to cause pain on the people we want to emancipate. Politicians sponsor most of the people killing in the zone.

“Their aim is to demarket IPOB. But I can tell you that we will stop at nothing in realising our self-determination goal.”