The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has given the Federal Government 14 days to ensure that the appeal filed by its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is listed and heard.
The group threatened to declare a total boycott of elections across Biafraland and beyond if the government fails to meet the demand.
IPOB made the demand in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, who criticised the pace of proceedings following Kanu’s conviction.
The group alleged that while the Federal Government had moved swiftly to prosecute and convict Kanu, it had shown little urgency in responding to his appeal against the conviction.
IPOB also questioned the legal basis for Kanu’s conviction and continued detention, asking under which existing law he was convicted and what specific offence justified his continued detention.
The group said a separate challenge was also pending before the Supreme Court over the legality of the purported continuation of Kanu’s trial after some counts had earlier been quashed.
According to IPOB, the Federal Government must defend both Kanu’s conviction and the jurisdictional basis on which his resumed trial was conducted.
The group warned that failure to list and hear the appeal within 14 days would trigger a total boycott of forthcoming elections across Biafraland and beyond.
Defending the proposed boycott against criticism that it could benefit President Bola Tinubu’s administration, IPOB said it did not call for an election boycott in 2023 and that its supporters participated in the election.
It argued that despite their participation, the 2023 election results were disputed and subsequent legal challenges were unsuccessful.
IPOB said repeated participation in elections followed by allegations of rigging and unsuccessful court challenges had raised questions about the effectiveness of the electoral process.
The group described a collective refusal to participate as a political statement by people who had lost confidence in the system.
It urged those opposed to the proposed boycott to instead direct their efforts towards ensuring that Kanu’s appeal was heard.
IPOB said the government had two options: release Kanu or appear in court to defend his conviction and the legal basis of his trial.
The group reiterated its demand for Kanu’s immediate and unconditional release, warning that failure to act within the stipulated 14 days would lead to a total election boycott across Biafraland and beyond.
Source: IPOB statement issued by spokesperson Emma Powerful
