In a press release delivered by IPOB’s spokesperson, Mr. Emma Powerful, the movement urged Governor Mbah to be vigilant and avoid being manipulated by the Nigerian government or his political adversaries, as such actions could potentially transform the peaceful state of Enugu into a centre of turmoil.
The statement further asserted that if the governor allowed himself to be used against IPOB, they would make it exceedingly challenging for him to govern Enugu State.
Expressing condemnation for the arrest of IPOB members, Powerful placed the blame squarely on the Nigerian military, alleging that they had launched an assault on peaceful IPOB participants engaged in a candlelight service in remembrance of Biafran heroes and heroines in Emene, Enugu State, on the night of May 29, 2023.
According to Powerful, Biafrans around the world gathered on the 29th and 30th of May to honour their fallen heroes and heroines without any form of harassment, but it was only in Nigeria that such peaceful gatherings were met with attacks, abductions, and killings.
Narrating the incident, Powerful claimed that a combined team of the Nigerian military had descended upon the peaceful Biafrans as they held their candlelight service, interrupting their prayers and disrupting the solemn event. He described the military’s actions as overzealous and condemned their aggression towards innocent civilians.
Led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently in the custody of the Department of State Services on charges of running a proscribed group, jumping bail, and treason, IPOB has been actively advocating for the secession of Biafra.
It should be noted that Governor Mbah recently announced the end of the Monday sit-at-home order in Enugu State.
In a public statement, Governor Mbah expressed his opposition to the sit-at-home order, describing it as abominable and contrary to the spirit of progress and industry inherited from forebears. He emphasised that such actions caused significant harm and went against the collective interest of the people.
It is worth mentioning that IPOB introduced the sit-at-home order every Monday across the South-East in August 2021 as part of their strategy to secure the release of Nnamdi Kanu.
