- Members, mainly those living outside Nigeria, are against the suspension, seeing it as sign of compromise, capitulation
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is moving to fast quell dissent within its ranks by those who are opposed to its leadership suspension of the Mondays sit-at-home order which had grounded public and private business, educational, social and cultural activities in the South East region.
It has also led to loss of lives and destruction of properties, vehicles. Last week Monday, when the first of the Monday was held before its suspension last Saturday, 14 people died in Imo and Anambra State.
IPOB, in a statement by its Spokesperson, Emma Powerful, said “we can no longer tolerate the barrage of insults being rained on the lead counsel of the Indigenous people of Biafra Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor by some uninformed fellows and mischief makers. IPOB is also disappointed that despite our earlier explanations on the rationale behind our decision to suspend the Ghost Monday Sit-At-Home order, some fellows are still disparaging our Directorate of State DoS over the decision.”
Sources said that some IPOB members, especially those living abroad are opposed to the suspension, labelling it compromise at best or open capitulation to the Nigerian State.
They have also accused Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, lead counsel for IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, of misrepresenting him by insisting he was told to suspend the Monday sit-at-homes.
But in the statement titled: ‘WE WON’T TOLERATE ANY FURTHER INSULTS ON OUR DOS, AND OUR LEADER’S LAWYER, BARRISTER IFEANYI EJIOFOR, IPOB stated: “We therefore wish to advise all those playing the devil’s advocate to desist in their own interest and stop giving our enemies room to mock us. IPOB is a well-structured and organised movement with clear cut hierarchical structure as well. Henceforth, IPOB will no longer take lightly any act of insubordination from anybody or from any quarter irrespective of one’s status.
“Going forward we will not condone insults on our hierarchy represented by the DOS or on our leader’s lawyers. They have not taken any action inimical to the struggle to warrant the embarrassing and undeserved insults from some uninformed folks. All the decisions so far taken were in the best interest of the struggle and in accordance with direct directive from our Leader who is very impressed with the actions and solidarity so far implemented by the leadership since his incarceration.
“Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor remains IPOB’s lead council (sic) and our leader’s lead legal representative and our leader reposes strong confidence in his ability and capacity. As a trusted counsel, he has not betrayed or misrepresented his clients IPOB and Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. There is no reason therefore for anyone especially IPOB family members to reciprocate Ejiofor’s sacrifices with insults.
“The facts in the public domain evidence multiple attempts by the Nigeria security agencies to eliminate Barrister Ejiofor at all cost because they have failed to get him compromised. Instead of appreciating him for defending our leader at the risk of his own life some mischief makers are trying to accuse him of sabotage. This is not only ridiculous but stupidity taken too far.
“We also wish to clarify that in IPOB we have nothing or nobody known as autopilot. Anybody going by such title is not IPOB, and is flouting our rules. Anybody claiming to be such should immediately disengage before he is embarrassed.”