IPOB gives FG 14 days to list Kanu’s appeal, threatens election boycott

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has given the Federal Government a 14-day deadline to ensure that the appeal filed by its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is listed and heard.

The group threatened to mobilise a total boycott of forthcoming elections across Biafraland and beyond if the government fails to meet its demand.

IPOB made the demand in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, in which it criticised what it described as the slow pace of proceedings following Kanu’s conviction.

The group alleged that while the Federal Government acted swiftly in prosecuting and convicting Kanu, it had shown less urgency in responding to his appeal.

IPOB also questioned the legal basis of Kanu’s conviction and continued detention, asking under which existing law he was convicted and what specific offence justified his continued incarceration.

The group further pointed to a separate legal challenge before the Supreme Court concerning the legality of the continuation of Kanu’s trial after some charges had earlier been quashed.

According to IPOB, the Federal Government must defend both Kanu’s conviction and the jurisdictional basis for the resumed trial.

The group said failure to list and hear the appeal within 14 days would result in a total boycott of forthcoming elections across Biafraland and beyond.

Defending the proposed boycott against arguments that it could benefit President Bola Tinubu’s administration, IPOB said it did not support an election boycott in 2023 and that its supporters participated in the election.

It argued that despite the 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 in elections as a political statement by people who had lost confidence in the system.

It urged those opposed to the proposed boycott to instead focus their efforts on ensuring that Kanu’s appeal was heard.

IPOB maintained that the Federal Government had two options: release Kanu or appear in court to defend his conviction and the legal basis of his trial.

The group again demanded Kanu’s immediate and unconditional release, warning that failure to act within 14 days would trigger its planned election boycott.