IPOB Rejects Tinubu’s Independence Day Speech, Calls It “Hate-Filled and Divisive"

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The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has strongly rejected President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Independence Day speech, accusing him of spreading falsehoods and unfairly equating the group with Boko Haram while overlooking other violent extremist organizations.

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Comrade Emma Powerful, IPOB described the President’s remarks as “divisive and hate-filled,” alleging that the speech betrayed a long-standing prejudice against the Igbo people.

“IPOB Is Not a Terrorist Group”

The group reiterated that it remains a peaceful self-determination movement and denied any involvement in terrorism, kidnappings, or killings. It noted that a Federal High Court judgment in March 2017 had declared IPOB was not a terrorist organization, stressing that the ruling remains valid and binding.

“Not a single shred of verifiable evidence has ever been presented in any court of law linking IPOB or our leader to terrorism,” the statement read.

Accusations of Double Standards

IPOB also accused President Tinubu of hypocrisy for, in its view, downplaying attacks by armed herdsmen while targeting unarmed Igbo youths.

“It is insulting for Tinubu to demonize IPOB while exonerating Fulani killer herdsmen who are daily terrorizing citizens across the country. When entire communities are wiped out, his government calls it ‘farmer-herder clashes,’ yet peaceful Igbo protesters are branded terrorists,” IPOB alleged.

Igbo Political Leaders Criticized

The group further criticized what it called the “toothless Igbo political class,” accusing them of enabling federal policies that, it claimed, marginalize their own people. “They should know that history will not absolve them,” the statement added.

Call for Justice

IPOB maintained that its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, is being detained illegally despite multiple court orders for his release. It urged the Tinubu administration to obey judicial rulings rather than “propagating lies.”

“The struggle for Biafra’s liberation is a just cause rooted in truth, justice, and international law. No amount of blackmail will erase that,” the group said.