The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has imposed a ban on Nigeria’s Independence Day celebrations scheduled for October 1st in the Southeastern region.

IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, has called upon the people of the Southeast to refrain from participating in the Independence Day festivities within the region.

Powerful asserted that the Nigerian state has shown hostility towards the Igbo people and has consistently rebuffed efforts to treat Southeastern citizens with equity. In a statement signed by Powerful, IPOB has also urged state governors and political leaders to abstain from partaking in the October 1st Independence Day observance within the Southeast.

A portion of the statement conveyed: “The global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under the leadership of the Supreme leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU hereby call on Biafrans both at home and in the diaspora to refrain from participating in the Nigeria Independence day celebration on 1st October 2023.

“Every sensible Biafran citizen must comprehend that Nigeria harbours animosity towards Biafrans, especially Ndigbo. Nigeria has dismissed all our attempts to be treated as equal citizens. Nigeria has marginalized Biafrans politically and economically. Since Nigeria has rejected us, we have also rejected Nigeria and her celebrations. The Nigerian Government and Nigerian citizens have repeatedly demonstrated that we do not belong to them, and consequently, we must take all necessary steps to free ourselves from the shackles of Nigeria. Even the most obtuse individual would have come to the realization that Nigeria is not for Ndigbo and Biafrans after the charade they called the 2023 elections.

“As the Nigerian government plans to mark its flag Independence from Britain, we advise Eastern Region Governors and Political leaders to refrain from the October 1st Independence celebration within our region. Furthermore, we encourage Biafrans not to attend any Independence celebration anywhere within Biafra territory or beyond it.

“Therefore, IPOB has prohibited the celebration of Independence Day and the display of Nigerian flags in any part of Biafraland on October 1st, 2023.”