Nnamdi Kanu: Asari Dokubo Mocks IPOB Leader, Bishop Venerates Him, Igbo Lawyers Mobilise

The arrest and detention of Nnamdi Kani, leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB), has continued to generate various reactions from Nigerians.

Speaking on the same day, Asari Dokubo, ex-Niger Delta militant, Bishop Biereonwu Livinus Onuagha of the Methodist Church, Onitsha and a group of Igbo lawyers expressed different sentiments.

Dokubo appeared to celebrate Kanu’s capture in a latest video where he repeated his allegation that the IPOB leader was defrauding Igbos.

The ex-militant claimed that the IPOB leader receives funds without giving account of his spending.

He also alleged that Kanu demanded payment from all Biafrans on a monthly basis to be part of the Biafra nation when actualized.

Dokubo said, ”Nnamdi Kanu, I promised you I will smoke you out. Your madness never start, this one wey start now na market he dey go. you have harmed biafrans and traded with us so much.

”You collect our money in the name of defence funds and you cannot give account.

”You are demanding that all Biafrans should pay money to you on monthly basis or they will not be allowed to enter Biafra. Doesn’t that make you a con man, an extortionist?”

However, the Bishop, Methodist Church Nigeria, Onitsha Diocese, Rt Rev Onuagha, said in a statement that Kanu represents the aspirations of all Igbo people in the country and anything that affects him affects all.

He said the IPOB leader is fighting for the emancipation of his people who have become “slaves” in Nigeria.

Bishop Onuagha said, “Some people are rejoicing that Nnamdi Kanu has been re-arrested. Others are not happy because to them the chase after Nnamdi Kanu is a misplaced priority. To me, any Igbo person openly criticizing Kanu now is a lost soul, bastard and naive. No apology. Those Igbo rejoicing are only but being ignorant of the handwriting on the wall…

“Those who are rejoicing do not know or understand that a handcuff in the hand of the leader of the indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is a handcuff in the hands of every Igbo man. If I may ask, why are they thanking God for the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu?

“If I take a look at the apartheid policy in South Africa, the legend of our time, Daddy Nelson Mandela, spent 27 years in prison to emancipate his people. He died in the struggle. Those rejoicing are only being selfish. How many of their investments are in Onitsha, Enugu, Awka, Abakaliki Umuahia, and Owerri? They are only making themselves as a Tobias or Samballat.”

The Bishop asked why the Igbos were being held down. “ By the way, what is wrong that the Igbo want to be self-governing? Can somebody tell me why Nigeria is insisting that Biafra should not be self-governing. Is the Igbo man in the second agenda of this government?

“In a country dominated by ethno-religious politics, throwing your own under the bus is the biggest blunder anyone could commit. As long as the Northerners are still standing with Pantami, Gumi, Miyetti Allah, etcetera, I will stand with Nnamdi Kanu.”

Meanwhile, the Igbo Lawyers Association, ILA, led by Chuks Muomah, has vowed to mobilize lawyers to join Barr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Kanu’s lawyer, in the battle to free him from detention.

Briefing journalists in Aba on Tuesday, Muomah, represented by Chief Ukpai Ukairo, condemned the illegal manner in which Kanu was intercepted and brought to Nigeria.

He also said that the association would ensure that the British Government reverses the “illegality of that interception” of Kanu who is a dual citizen of both Nigeria and Britain.

The group stated that one of its major objectives is to fight and protect the right of Igbos to fairness, justice and equity in Nigeria, stressing that it will henceforth, interface with all pro-Igbo organizations including the World Igbo Congress, WIC, for the attainment of the objectives.