The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to ensure that an appeal filed by its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is listed and heard.
The group warned that failure to meet the demand would result in a total boycott of forthcoming elections across Biafraland and other areas.
IPOB made its position known in a statement released on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, amid growing concerns over the pace of proceedings following Kanu’s conviction.
The group accused the Federal Government of acting with urgency in prosecuting and securing Kanu’s conviction but failing to show similar urgency in responding to his appeal.
IPOB questioned the legal basis for Kanu’s conviction and continued detention, demanding clarification on the law under which he was convicted and the offence for which he remained incarcerated.
The organisation also referred to a separate matter before the Supreme Court concerning the legality of the continuation of Kanu’s trial after some of the charges against him had previously been quashed.
According to IPOB, the Federal Government must therefore justify both Kanu’s conviction and the jurisdictional basis for the resumed proceedings.
The group said the government had 14 days to ensure that Kanu’s appeal was listed and heard, warning that failure to do so would trigger a total boycott of elections in Biafraland and beyond.
IPOB defended the proposed boycott against suggestions that it could ultimately favour President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The group recalled that it did not advocate an election boycott in 2023 and that its supporters participated in the electoral process.
However, it argued that the results of the 2023 elections were subsequently disputed, while legal challenges arising from the polls failed to produce the desired outcome.
IPOB said repeated participation in elections followed by allegations of manipulation and unsuccessful court cases had raised fundamental questions about the effectiveness of the electoral system.
It described the proposed boycott as a collective political statement by people who, according to the group, had lost confidence in the electoral process.
IPOB also urged individuals and groups opposed to the proposed election boycott to channel their efforts towards ensuring that Kanu’s appeal was heard.
The organisation maintained that the Federal Government had two options: release Kanu or appear before the court to defend his conviction and the legal foundation of the trial.
It reiterated its demand for the immediate and unconditional release of its leader.
IPOB warned that if the government failed to act within the 14-day period, it would proceed with what it described as a total election boycott across Biafraland and beyond.
