IPOB Blasts Akpabio Over “Threat Disguised As Peace Talk” (DETAILS)

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The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has strongly criticised Senate President Godswill Akpabio over his recent remarks to Igbo youths, describing them as “state propaganda, political blackmail, and a failed attempt to coerce Ndigbo into submission.”

In a press statement issued by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, the group reacted to comments made by Akpabio in Enugu, where he warned against armed struggle and stated that “state power will always overwhelm you,” while also suggesting political concessions such as the creation of an additional state.

IPOB, however, rejected the remarks, insisting they were not peace-driven but rather a veiled threat targeted at the Biafra self-determination movement led by Nnamdi Kanu.

The group maintained that it is not engaged in any armed struggle but is instead advocating for a democratic referendum to determine the political future of the South-East region.

“A referendum is not war, terrorism, or armed struggle. It is the most democratic expression of political will,” the statement read.

IPOB further argued that the call for self-determination is backed by both Nigerian law and international legal frameworks, citing provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which recognise the right of people to determine their political status.

The group accused the Federal Government of attempting to criminalise its activities and distort its demands in order to justify repression, insisting that such efforts have consistently failed.

Reacting to Akpabio’s warning about state power, IPOB described the statement as a “confession of a system that can no longer persuade but now relies on threats.”

The organisation also dismissed the suggestion of creating an additional state for the South-East, describing it as “insulting” and inadequate in addressing what it termed a “sovereignty question.”

On the issue of economic disruption in the region, IPOB blamed the Federal Government, alleging that militarisation and political actions against the group have contributed significantly to instability in the South-East.

Reaffirming its stance, IPOB stressed that its demand remains unchanged — a referendum to allow the people to decide their future.

The group also reiterated that no amount of pressure would compel its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, to abandon the Biafra cause.

“The cause belongs to the people, and only the people can decide,” the statement concluded.