The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has claimed that the Federal Government transfered its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, to Sokoto Prison to secure northern votes.
Naija News reports that IPOB made the allegation in a press statement issued by the group and signed by its Spokesperson and Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful.
Powerful claimed that Kanu was transferred to Sokoto Prison as an ethnic trophy, in a bid to secure Northern votes against candidates like Atiku Abubakar.
He said Kanu’s trial, sentencing, and subsequent transfer to Sokoto was a calculated ploy to use its leader as a bargaining chip in Northern politics.
IPOB, however, said the strategy has backfired spectacularly. It alleged that discerning Fulani leaders and the Northern populace are deeply incensed, openly rejecting being used as props in what it described as childish, desperate political mind games while the economy and nation collapse.
In the same statement, IPOB also blamed Britain for alleged complicity in Kanu’s abduction in Kenya and his extraordinary rendition to Nigeria.
It further accused Britain of complicity over what it described as disregard for United Nations calls for Kanu’s release, disobedience of appellate court discharges, conviction on repealed laws, and reliance on harsh legal measures.
IPOB also faulted the court proceedings, challenging remarks attributed to Justice Omotosho that Kanu “hates the North with a passion,” which it described as deliberate distortions.
The group said Kanu does not hate any ethnic group, but fights against what it called a corrupt, neo-colonial structure.
IPOB reiterated its call for Kanu’s release, insisting that its agitation remains peaceful, and that no amount of political horse-trading will stop what it called the ultimate triumph of justice.
