In a statement by IPOB's Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, the Indigenous People of Biafra, accused the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo of destroying IPOB and its agitation.
The Nnamdi Kanu-led group also claim that Ohanaeze is perpetuating the misery of Biafrans and taking IPOB’s demand for referendum as a call for war.
The statement read: “We note with great sadness the public acknowledgement of President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo’s effort to destroy the work of IPOB, thereby perpetuating the misery of Biafrans in the Nigeria Project.
“It is equally baffling to the global family of IPOB, especially those of Igbo extraction, that a highly educated and respected leader of Ohanaeze will publicly equate the demand for a referendum as a call for war.What this demonstrates is that Ohanaeze Ndigbo has fallen victim to the Federal Government’s sponsored propaganda and smear campaign that a demand for Biafra equals a demand for war.
“If that is the case, it is very unfortunate indeed coming from a supposedly enlightened people. A call for referendum is never a call for war.
“Those opposed to the idea of genuine freedom for Biafra were the people that brought war to Biafraland through Operation Python Dance not IPOB. From every indication, Chief Nwodo have confirmed that he was one of those that sanctioned the use of lethal force against unarmed, peaceful IPOB family members gathered at Kanu’s residence on the 11th and 14th of September 2017.
“The likes of Ohaneze Ndigbo should be defending the interest of movements like IPOB, fighting for the survival of all oppressed people within Nigeria, instead of conniving with the oppressor to unleash mayhem and death on their own.
“Chief Nwodo’s open acknowledgement during his speech at the National Stadium Surulere that he would sabotage Biafra again is a demonstration of highest level of cowardice which our oppressors will read as a sign of weakness at the heart of Igbo leadership.
“What he has succeeded in doing is to embolden Hausa and Fulani into believing that Igbos are their slaves.
Such uncharacteristic display of impotent leadership in the face of political, economic and social emasculation of an entire race should not be associated with anybody claiming to be the leader of Ndi-Igbo.
“Our promise to Chief Nwodo and his cohorts within and outside Ohaneze Ndigbo is this, not they or anybody else can stop or quench what is about to come in the name of Biafra. Our project is divine, our leadership fanatical, no man born of a woman can stop the restoration of Biafra.”
“We must remind all saboteurs that the day of reckoning is fast approaching and no amount of pleading on their behalf will save them. They have sowed the wind, they must reap the whirlwind. God did not create us to be slaves to Arewa North and we would never submit to slavery.”
