IPOB insists on referendum, says Igbo ready to exit Nigeria

The leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has lashed out at facilitators and purveyors of the “IgboMustGo” campaign in the Southwestern part of the country, saying it was high time they convened a referendum for the Igbo to exit.

The group said that it was laughable that authorities in the South West were treating the “IgboMustGo” campaign and its proponents with a wave of the hand, adding that Igbo are already ‘on the ground and fear no fall’.

According to the Igbo separatist group, indications abound that sponsors of the “IgboMustGo” campaign are highly placed individuals within the Lagos State and Federal Governments, urging Southerners to be cautious of their actions in the Southwestern region.

IPOB’s Director of Media and Publicity, Emma Powerful, disclosed this in a statement yesterday. The statement reads: “Following the provocative and genocidal “IgboMustGo” proposed protest slated to commence from August 20 to 30, 2024, by some faceless Yoruba groups and persons, IPOB wishes to remind the Yoruba anti-Igbo groups that Ndigbo are ready to exit Yoruba land and Nigeria via a referendum. Ndigbo will not succumb to any threat from any group or persons to leave any state or region in Nigeria.

“It is laughable that the Governor of Lagos State, BabajideSanwo-Olu, was reported to have hypnotically condemned the proponents of the protest.

“The governor will not hoodwink Ndigbo with his hypocritical condemnation of those calling for the expulsion of Igbo from the South West Region.”

The governor was the first to ethnically profile Ndigbo with his biased demolition of businesses, properties, and investments belonging to Ndigbo in Lagos State. There is a good chance that proponents of the “IgboMustGo” campaign are sponsored by high-profile persons in the Lagos State Government and the Federal Government.”

The statement, however, noted that Ndigbo are not perturbed, stressing that they have seen it all in Nigeria and are prepared for any opportunity to exit Nigeria at any time.

IPOB noted that it would be more appropriate for the Igbo to be allowed to exit Nigeria peacefully and democratically to maintain good neighbourly relationships. It, however, said that if Ndigbo is forced to exit Nigeria violently, there’s a possibility that they shall remain hostile neighbours for the foreseeable future.