Suspension of IPOB sit at home, a masterstroke that will bear good fruit

By Ogechukwu Ubah (Abia Writers)
Edited and published by Joseph Afokwalam

The indigenous peoples of Biafra (IPOB) one week Sit At Home protest for the release of their leader scheduled to hold from 5th - 10th November 2021 if their leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not released unconditionally on or before 4th November 2021 was later suspended. They cited the intervention of religious leaders, Traditional leaders and Ohaneze Ndigbo as the reason for the suspension. The elders, who have never spoken with one voice since the inception of the Biafra struggle, unanimously condemned the extraordinary rendition of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and called for his immediate release. They did not stop there; they started high-level consultations and put machinery in motion for the immediate release of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. IPOB as a peaceful group gave them a listening ear.

Another reason for the suspension, which the DOS did not make public, is the discovery of the IPOB M Branch. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu said, "Our M Branch is one of the best in the whole World". They discovered that the Fulani APC government planned to use the one week Sit At Home against IPOB. The Nigerian government wanted to use the period to cause mayhem in the region, especially in Anambra state and blame it on IPOB. They want to give the world evidence and the impression that IPOB is a terrorist organization. Hence, IPOB decided not to provide them with that opportunity. The cancellation is a masterstroke that sent the enemy scratching his head.

Unfortunately, some people misunderstood the DOS, thinking they had betrayed the struggle, calling them names and accusing them of taking a bribe. A few refused to obey and continued with the Sit At Home. Many others did not come out because of the Anambra state's militarization and the attendant violence and stray bullets. Before the suspension, people stocked their homes to prepare themselves for the one week Sit At Home. There was panic buying at a high rate, cancellation of programs and appointments. These contributed to some people's unhappiness towards the cancellation.

 Doyin Okukpe, former chief of staff to Goodluck Jonathan, applauded the move by IPOB DOS when he said, "Cancellation of Sit At Home shows that IPOB is not a terrorist group". The whole world knows that they are not terrorists. Only the Nigerian government tags them terrorists, without y proof.

IPOB have played their part by suspending the Sit At Home. It is now left for the southeast religious and traditional leaders to fulfil their promise by making sure that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is released unconditionally. After the release, they should dialogue and get us a date for the Biafra referendum because that is the only thing that will bring lasting peace in the region.

I apologize to all Biafrans for the inconvenience this suspension might have caused you and urge you to remain focused. I can tell you that the gain is far more than your loss. Very soon, your sadness will turn to ecstasy.