By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has placed a ban on Nigeria’s October 1^stindependence anniversary celebrations across the South-East.

IPOB’s Spokesman, Emma Powerful, urged people of the South-East to shun the Independence Day celebration in the region.

Powerful claimed that the Nigerian state detests Igbos and has rejected all efforts to treat people of the South-East equally.

In a statement signed by Powerful and issued on Friday, IPOB urged state governors and political leaders to shun the October 1^stIndependence Day celebration across the South-East.

Parts of the statement read: “The global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by the Supreme leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU hereby call on Biafrans both home and in diaspora to shun participation in the Nigeria Independent day celebration on 1^stOctober 2023.

“Every sensible Biafra citizen must understand that Nigeria detests Biafrans, particularly Ndigbo. Nigeria has rejected all our efforts to be treated as equal citizens. Nigeria has marginalized Biafrans politically and economically. Since Nigeria has rejected us, we have also rejected Nigeria and her celebrations.

“The Nigeria Government and Nigeria citizens have time after time demonstrated that we are not part of them, and therefore, we must do everything possible to liberate ourselves from the bondage of Nigeria. Even a fool would have come to the realization that Nigeria is not for Ndigbo and Biafrans after the shenanigan that they called 2023 elections.

“As Nigeria’s government plans to celebrate her flag Independence from Britain, we advise Eastern Region Governors and Political leaders to shun the October 1^stIndependence celebration in our region. Moreso, we advise Biafrans not to attend any Independence celebration anywhere within Biafra territory or outside of it.

“Hence, IPOB has banned the Independence Day celebration and flying of Nigeria flags in any part of Biafraland on October 1^st, 2023.”