IPOB Demands Referendum, Says Igbos Ready to Exit Nigeria

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called for a referendum for the Igbo people to decide whether to exit Nigeria.

This comes after the group condemned the call for Igbos to leave the South-Western part of Nigeria, stating that they are ready to exit the country peacefully and democratically.

In a statement released on Monday, IPOB Director of Media and Publicity, Emma Powerful, said, “Following the provocative and genocidal ‘IgboMustGo’ proposed protest slated to commence from August 20-30th, 2024, by some faceless Yoruba groups and persons, the Indigenous People of Biafra wish to remind the Yoruba anti-Igbo groups that Ndigbo are ready to exit Yoruba land and Nigeria via a referendum.”

Powerful stated that the Igbo people are not perturbed by the threats and are prepared to exit Nigeria at any time. He added, “But it will be more appropriate for us to be allowed to exit Nigeria peacefully and democratically in order to maintain good neighbourly relationships. However, if Ndigbo is forced to exit Nigeria violently, there’s a possibility that we shall remain hostile neighbours for the foreseeable future.”

The statement also accused the Lagos State Government and the Federal Government of sponsoring the “IgboMustGo” campaign, adding that the Igbo people are facing existential threats from the Western and Northern regions.

“We are calling on the international community to take note of the existential threat against Ndigbo in Nigeria.

The Human Right Organisations, United Nations, European Union, African Union, and all lovers of freedom should understand that Biafrans are endangered species in the contraption called Nigeria,” Powerful said.