The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has given the Federal Government 14 days to ensure that IPOB Kanu appeal proceedings are listed and heard, threatening to boycott future elections across Biafraland and beyond if its demand is not met.
The group made the demand in a statement issued Tuesday by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, following the conviction of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu.
IPOB accused the Federal Government of moving quickly to prosecute and convict Kanu while, according to the group, showing less urgency over the appeal filed against the conviction.
The group also questioned the legal basis of Kanu’s conviction and continued detention.
It asked the Federal Government to clarify the law under which Kanu was convicted and identify the specific offence supporting his continued detention.
IPOB further referred to a separate legal challenge before the Supreme Court concerning the continuation of Kanu’s trial after some charges had previously been quashed.
According to the group, the Federal Government should be prepared to defend both Kanu’s conviction and the jurisdictional basis of the proceedings that followed.
IPOB said failure to have the appeal listed and heard within the 14-day period would result in what it described as a total boycott of forthcoming elections across Biafraland and beyond.
The group defended the proposed action against suggestions that an election boycott could favour President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
It argued that its supporters participated in the 2023 elections but alleged that the outcome was subsequently disputed and legal challenges did not produce the desired result.
IPOB said repeated participation in elections followed by allegations of electoral irregularities and unsuccessful court challenges had raised questions about the effectiveness of the electoral process.
It therefore described a collective refusal to participate as a political statement by people who had lost confidence in the system.
The group urged those opposed to the proposed boycott to instead support efforts to have Kanu’s appeal heard.
IPOB maintained that the Federal Government had two options: release Kanu or appear before the court to defend his conviction and the legal foundation of his trial.
The group also renewed its demand for Kanu’s immediate and unconditional release.
It warned that failure to address the matter within the stated 14-day period would trigger the proposed election boycott across Biafraland and beyond.
