The leader of the Independent People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, wrote the letter in which he apologised for unsavory remarks he made about President Muhammadu Buhari, ex-president Goodluck Jonathan and Igbo leaders, contrary to claims by IPOB and his lawyer.
Kanu, who said he intended to write a private letter to Buhari to express his apology to the President, also apologised to former President Goodluck Jonathan and Igbo elders for “some uncomplimentary things” he said about them.
IPOB, his family, and lawyer, Vincent Obetta, however, denied that he apologised to anyone.
Obetta claimed that the Federal Government was only trying undermine the 48-year-old and his cause.
“The government is using every instrument to puncture what we are doing,” he said.
Documents obtained from the court, however, showed that the apology was contained in a handwritten statement by the Biafran leader.
Despite apologising for casting aspersions “on the person and the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Kanu was adamant that he would continue to fight for Biafra.
He said IPOB’s secessionist agenda was informed by the “incessant hardship, lack of holistic development in the socio-economic landscape of Nigeria, lack of youth employment, corruption in high offices and economic regression.”
He added that the agitation by IPOB, which, according to him, was founded in London in 2012 by a group of people from the South-South and South-East regions of the country, was in line with the United Nations Charter on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ratified by African countries, including Nigeria.
|
| The letter as obtained by Sahara Reporters |
Nnamdi Kanu's handwritten statement / transcription
Nnamdi Kanu, Male Igbo Christian, aged 48 (i.e. born 1967, the year Biafra was announced), of Afaraukwu-Ibeku (Umuahia-North LG, Abia State), of dual Nigerian-British nationality, living in Pilkington Road, SE London, UK
I can confirm that I, Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra worldwide is a legally registered and duly recognized body at the United Nations pursuing the rights of a specific indigenous people, in this case Biafra, to seek self-determination according to the said charter. The reason for the formation of the Indigenous People of Biafra is to avail those referring to themselves as Biafrans the opportunity made available as a result of the United Nations Declaration to seek the peaceful re-Birth of Biafra in line with international laws, lack of holistic development in the socio-economic landscape of Nigeria, lack of youth employment, corruption in high offices, and economic repression.
Opportunities no longer existed for the majority of the people, and especially young graduates to find meaningful employment in the job market, general hardship, brutal repression of civil and human rights coupled with system that shuns inward investment contributed to the thinking behind the formation of IPOB.
The People of Biafra all over the world have particular emphasis on those residing in the diaspora it is not advised that those in Nigeria contribute. No contribution is accepted from those in political office or from organizations only individuals belonging to those organizations may choose to contribute if they wish to the volunteer force. IPOB is a group of people who may wish to group themselves together for the purpose of Evangelism or going out to the streets to distribute leaflets and preach the message of lawful existence of Biafra as stipulated in the UN Charter.
There is no armed conflict agitating and any reference to such is purely designed to stop the Nigerian Armed Forces ostensibly the police from coming out and killing innocent people.
IPOB volunteers are modeled on exactly the same tenet as the world renowned Salvation Army Front. Its ambitions are army but it does not carry any weapons. The same thing applies to the volunteers of IPOB. There is no arms training involved. I am the Director of Radio Biafra and solely responsible for the output the (genre?) of Radio Biafra is strictly to capture attention and imagination and not designed to incite anyone to violence.
For very many years the Nigerian state and Nigerians in general have continued to witness poor economic management, fraud, corruption, and mismanagement of every sector of the economy. Therefore, as Radio Biafra programs were designed to wake up the public from their slumber and address the issues of the time, which is youth unemployment, lack of infrastructural provisions, poor electricity, an absence of rural development, and conspicuous absence of respect for human rights.
The area as envisaged as Biafra are predominantly South-East and South-South territories having cultural, linguistic, traditional, and commonality in value system. Reference to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a terrorist, evil, and Paedophile is regrettable and uncalled for and for that I unreservedly apologize and will be doing so in a private letter to the President. Before PMP there was the administration of Goodluck Jonathan I also said some uncomplimentary things about him and Igbo elders as well, which I now recognize should have happened because it is un-African to be rude or insolent to elders. All I was trying to do is draw attention to the problems afflicting society and what society is doing about it.
The areas intended for the Biafran being espoused by Indigenous People of Biafra are Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Anambra, Bayelsa Delta, Edo (but only Igbamke), Kogi (only Igala), and Imo States. The mission statement of Radio Biafra is dedicated to the defences of the rights of the indigenous people of Biafra and ultimately the restoration of the REpublic of Biafra in line with United Nations Declarations on the Rights of Indigenous People
Nnamdi KanuClick to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
23/10/2015
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
Enugu, Abia and Ebonyi missing right? This is not from Kanu. FG writing scan.
ReplyDeleteThis is a sad distraction. If someone is in prison and signed a statement it can be deemed as under duress knowing how nigeria treats people in jail. Forget this matter and deal with the issues.
ReplyDeleteThis was written October 23 but just released. This is just a statement anyone in security custody makes. It is not a letter of apology. It is highly unproffessional for any security personnel to make this public. If there is any real fact the DSS has against Kanu they should let us know or otherwise let him go. What is the essence of letting us know that Kanu apologised to those he insulted. The statement even works in favour of Kanu because it exemplifies maturity and a peacefull, focused organisation. Before now I thought Kanu and co are touts but after going through this statement I painted my colour : red, black and..
ReplyDelete#BIAFRA.
Are you pple so idle? What's the meaning of this rubbish?
ReplyDeleteYea. Appology fine, temorseful ok. But the truth will also be told. Igbo lenders are seriously Missing the point.
ReplyDeleteIgbos can never ever agree to this Kanu statement. That Biafraud will spend his whole life in detention. And you Yanmiri can't do anything. Why una not stage protest again? All of una no serious. This is not dummy fake Phd holder Mumu Jonathan. Buhari go show una red card. Useless animals without roots,
ReplyDeleteSee this Malu that can't even write a complete sentence properly commenting. Tribalistic olodo bastard like you. Do you even have a father? I'm sure he would have educated you properly about roots.
DeleteApology fine but the law must take its course. We are not in banana republic
ReplyDeleteDoes the letter translate to an exhibit in court? What point is FG trying to make here when you leave the substance of the matter for frivolities. Very petty indeed!
ReplyDeleteEnter your comment... This man should be dealt accordingly
ReplyDelete