Cardinal Arinze refuses to endorse Biafra after IPOB approached him in Rome

Cardinal Francis Arinze refused to endorse the division of the country when members of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB met with him in Rome.

The IPOB members asked Cardinal Arinze who is from Anambra state to speak to the Pope to support their call for Biafra.

The cardinal in response turned down the request saying it is wrong to divide a country after experiencing the first civil war.

He told the IPOB members that "It is those who did not see the civil war who are talking 'Biafra, Biafra'. They have no idea".

In a video posted online, the Cardinal was seen talking to the IPOB members advising them to do away with the idea of secession.

Adding that citizens being separated is "not the mandate Christ gave to the Bishops."

The cardinal urged the IPOB members to join politics and work hard to achieve the change they want in the country.

He said: "It is for people like you. You get into politics and work hard with others."

Cardinal Arinze was a principal advisor to Pope John Paul II. He was also considered a possible candidate to be elected Catholic Pope before the 2005 papal conclave, which elected Pope Benedict XVI.

Watch the video below.