The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has fixed February 16, 2019, for Biafra referendum.

The chosen date coincides with the Nigerian presidential and National Assembly polls and is chosen, according to IPOB, so as to “ascertain the number of those who want Nigeria politics and those who want Biafra.”

IPOB said in a statement issued on Monday that the recent relocation of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu to the United Kingdom from his base in Israel, was to enable him perfect arrangements for the referendum.

The group said that it is poised to achieve freedom through a peaceful and democratic process for the sovereignty of a Biafran nation.

A statement by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, announced that Kanu will also use the opportunity to be with his family and see a newborn child he hadn’t seen “because of his illegal incarceration and detention since 2015.”

The statement reads in part: “Our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is currently meeting with IPOB high command in Europe to perfect plans for the referendum which will go side by side with the February 16 presidential poll.

“On Friday last week our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu arrived Leeds airport in England where our Deputy leader Mazi Uche Mefor and other top IPOB members based in the UK received him.

“IPOB leader and other top IPOB high command are expected to meet with European Union (EU) officials to gather more international support for the Biafra proposal.”

The statement adds that Kanu had been holding “useful talks” with a number of diplomats on a successful referendum bids for Biafra on February 16, assuring that majority of them have given their positive nod even as it adds that the proposal has received tremendous support from many key allies who see self-determination for Biafra as the best solution to the present Nigerian problem.

Continuing, the statement says: “The details and outcome of the referendum on Saturday 16th February will determine the position of Biafra people in the coming weeks.

“The test will be side by side with Nigeria presidential election next month to examine how many people boycotted the forthcoming presidential election.

“The success of the sit-at-home order during the presidential poll in Biafra land will be a confirmation that Biafra is no longer under the bondage of one Nigeria. The truth is that by the time Nigeria will wake from the looming political crisis she will only discover that Biafra is already a sovereign nation.”

IPOB explained that the format of the referendum and the planned boycott of the forthcoming presidential election would be a barometer to measure those who want Biafra and those who want to remain in Nigeria.

It further expressed confidence that there will be a peaceful and rancour-free referendum saying that international observers and media platforms will be on ground to monitor the exercise on that day.

IPOB maintained that the on-going political developments in the country only confirm that Nigeria cannot work together as one country insisting that Biafra must be a sovereign nation.

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