By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Friday alleged that Governor Peter Mba of Enugu State was under pressure from Aso Rock to blackmail the Supreme Court ahead of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu’s December 15 judgment.

IPOB was referring to Mba’s remark where he described the group as a proscribed organization.

Mba made the remark while addressing State House Correspondents after visiting President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

However, IPOB warned that the governor would be making a “costly mistake” if he continued to use the group’s name to “buy favour from Tinubu’s administration.”

A statement by Powerful reads partly: “The attention of the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has been drawn to the unguarded and reckless utterances from the Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mba after his visit to Aso Rock a few days ago.

“Dr Peter Mba addressed IPOB as a proscribed organization and accused us of being responsible for the infamous sit-at-home because he was under pressure to blackmail IPOB as the Supreme Court judgement of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case is days away.

“The ignoramus Peter Mbah forgot that he has publicly condemned Simon Ekpa, the hijacker and enforcer of Monday sit-at-home. Is it not obvious that Enugu State Governor Dr Peter Mba would have been under pressure by the Tinubu administration to accuse IPOB of being responsible for the infamous sit-at-home and insecurity in the Southeast? That is why he came out yapping as a mad dog and a coward.

“Therefore, we urge the public to ignore the ranting of a cowardly governor who is under pressure from the federal government to demonize IPOB, especially as the Supreme Court judgment of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is days away.

“If you continue to use the IPOB name to buy favour from Tinubu’s administration, you are making a costly mistake. IPOB is not a pushover. Our silence, gentleness, quietness, and love for our people should not be mistaken for cowardice. You should be careful that you don’t steer up a hornet’s nest for your government.

"We know that you talk too much, and if you don’t know how to speak to the press, you should find another person who does that for you or other means to communicate. IPOB has antibiotics for you people.

“Once again, IPOB calls on the Nigerian Supreme Court Justices not to succumb to blackmail but to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu whom the Court of Appeal has acquitted and warned that no court in Nigeria should try him. Self-determination is not a crime. But kidnap and extraordinary rendition of a freedom fighter is against international laws and norms.

“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB cannot capitulate because of blackmail. We have crossed the Rubicon.

“There will be no retreat, and there will be no surrender. Dr Mba and other blackmailers have today as their own, but tomorrow shall be for IPOB and other genuine Biafran freedom fighters. IPOB is bigger than what some of you can imagine. Time shall tell.”

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