Nzuko Umunna Backs Ohanaeze, Warns Army Against Planned Clampdown On IPOB

An Igbo socio-cultural group, Nzuko Umunna has decried the planned clampdown by the Nigerian Army on members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) over alleged plans to disrupt the 2019 election.

Nzuko Umunna’s reaction follows a similar reaction by the apex socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yesterday in a statement signed by its president Chief John Nnia Nwodo.

The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, had ordered his men to immediately embark on a clampdown on the group “because the activities of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and their splinter groups in the South Eastern part of the country are gaining momentum as the group is threatening to disrupt the 2019 electoral process. Their excesses must, therefore, be clamped down immediately,” he had said.

Nzuko Umunna, in a statement signed by jointly signed by its coordinator, Mr. Ngozi Odumuko and General Secretary, Paschal Mbanefo, argued that the planned clamp down “is bound to foul the peaceful political climate in the South East Zone and provoke restiveness among Igbo youths. This will turn the South East zone into yet another killing field, reminiscent of the September 2017 Operation Python Dance bloodbath which reportedly claimed the lives of about 200 defenceless Igbo youths.”

The group, therefore, advised the military authorities to allow Igbo traditional rulers, community leaders and religious leaders restrain their youths where necessary.

The full statement read, “NZUKO UMUNNA is alarmed at the recent directive by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai to GOCs and field commanders to clamp down immediately on members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) over unsubstantiated plans to disrupt the forthcoming general elections.

“The claim by General Buratai that the activities of IPOB and its ‘splinter groups’ are gaining momentum in the South Eastern part of the country is not borne out by facts, as the South East zone has remained perhaps the most peaceful and safest part of Nigeria.

“We view as totally misplaced and uncalled for, the planned clampdown on IPOB members as well as the attendant militarization of the forthcoming elections and the South East zone generally. We urge President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on the military hierarchy to immediately call off the so-called “Operations Safe Conduct.”

“In fact, rather than quell any perceived excesses of IPOB, this ill-advised military operations is bound to foul the peaceful political climate in the South East Zone and provoke restiveness among Igbo youths. This will turn the South East zone into yet another killing field, reminiscent of the September 2017 Operation Python Dance bloodbath which reportedly claimed the lives of about 200 defenceless Igbo youths.

“It is particularly curious that while the Army chief has ordered immediate military clampdown on the South East zone, he has merely asked the GOCs and commanders to encourage “enhanced liaison” in very volatile zones of the country in order to “de-escalate tension.” If this is not a deliberate plot to achieve some uncharitable ends, it would seem like turning military strategy on its head.

“We note that IPOB has merely urged its members to sit at home during the forthcoming elections as a ‘referendum’ for its quest towards self-determination, even as a similar call for the boycott of the last Anambra Governorship Election was spectacularly uneventful.

“We fully align ourselves with the position of Ohanaeze Ndigbo on the subject as set out in the statement by its President General, Dr. John Nnia Nwodo, and urge the military authorities to allow Igbo traditional rulers, community leaders and religious leaders restrain their youths where necessary.

“We also support the call by the international community including the United States for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure that all candidates in the elections enjoy a level-playing ground. This is an irreducible minimum in contemporary democratic practice.

“It is noteworthy that unlike some terrorist organisations like ISIS that have declared war on the state, IPOB has consistently affirmed that it is a lawful and non-violent socio-ethnic pressure group seeking self-determination as guaranteed under international law.

“The planned onslaught against its members may be prejudicial to the appeal filed by IPOB at Nigeria’s Court of Appeal to set aside its January 22, 2018 proscription by the Federal High Court, thereby foisting a fait accompli on the appellate court.

“It is equally curious that while the Free World has embraced IPOB and its leadership, the military authorities continue to demonize the group. IPOB Leader, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu resides in the United Kingdom, a bastion of democracy, with his full rights, even as his followers are hounded by Nigeria’s Armed Forces for unsubstantiated reasons. This must cease.

“Finally, we call on all Nigerians of voting age to vote and make sure their votes are counted.”