Stop using Kanu’s name for political interest - IPOB tells Kalu

The Indigenous People of Biafra has asked the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, to stop using Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s name to pursue his political interest.

The pro-Biafran group said Kalu claims to be working for the release of Kanu, but he does not have any genuine interest in securing his release.

The PUNCH reports that Kanu has been in Department of State Services detention since 2021, following his arrest in Kenya and repatriation to Nigeria.

The Supreme Court, on December 15, okayed his trial on the charges of terrorism filed against him by the Federal Government.

IPOB, in its statement on Wednesday, advised Kalu to refrain from using IPOB and Kanu’s political persecution for his selfish political interest, adding that IPOB has gone past the stage of political games and gimmicks.

The statement read partly, “Kalu has constantly been on the print and social media claiming of working hard for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“IPOB and Kanu have become a daily song for him, but he does not have any genuine interest in the IPOB struggle nor the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from the Federal Government’s persecution and illegal detention.

“It is pathetic that some self-serving Igbo politicians are bent on destroying IPOB and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, while other politicians from other zones are empowering their political agitation groups. If not for IPOB, ESN, and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, many South-Eastern villages would have been occupied by terrorists.

“The South-East people and the public should ignore Kalu and Co. They cannot deceive the intelligent men and women in IPOB and Biafrans in general. We know their plans, and they will face the consequences of their actions when the right time comes.

“At this point of our struggle, we are not happy and would not be kind to anyone putting the life of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, in danger for whatever reasons. In IPOB, we don’t forget, and we don’t forgive. Benjamin Kalu should be careful about his plans of working against IPOB members, ESN, and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“Kalu should stop taking credit for the peace the South-East people experienced during this Christmas season. IPOB and ESN operatives ensured that it was peaceful celebrations in our region during this last Christmas season. IPOB made it open that the criminals should stay off Ndigbo during this Christmas season and not your meeting Benjamin Kalu.”

The group urged Kalu to prevail on President Bola Tinubu not to allow Kanu to die in custody or detention knowing about his precarious health conditions.

“Muhammadu Buhari’s administration said that the court will decide Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s fate. But after Kanu defeated them in their own court, the same government refused to release him. President Tinubu is following the same line to try him in his own Court but Kalu has remained quiet instead of telling the Federal Government to obey the court orders,” the statement added.