“Biafrans Needs Referendum Not Asylum” – IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu Replies UK Government

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has reacted to a report that the United Kingdom was planning to grant asylum to persecuted members of the group and the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) had reported that the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) had released new guidelines to its decision-makers on how to consider and grant asylum applications by members of Biafran secessionist groups.

Kanu, who reacted in a statement issued by the IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, commended the UK government it gesture which he described as a bold initiative.

He, however, declined the offer saying “what we Biafrans need and cherish the most is referendum and not asylum in the UK.”

“We the global family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), ably led by our great and indomitable leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has noted with satisfaction the news that the United Kingdom has agreed to grant asylum to persecuted Biafra agitators resident in the UK.

“While we commend them for this bold initiative, we wish to most graciously remind them that what we Biafrans need and cherish the most is a referendum and not asylum in the UK. We are tired of living in bondage in the devilish contraption called Nigeria they single-handedly created.

“We would not wish our children, now and generations unborn, to share the same geo-political space with those that reward terrorists and criminalise law-abiding citizens. We particularly thank the UK government for confirming what the rest of the civilized world already know that the great IPOB worldwide family are not terrorists but peaceful agitators and freedom fighters.

“That Nigeria is a country run by terrorists for the benefit of terrorists has been confirmed by this noble move by the United Kingdom. Aso Rock, the seat of power in Nigeria is a terrorist haven with serving ministers who are openly sympathetic to terrorists and their activities, coming and going as they please, while freedom fighters are languishing in jail. We want freedom, not asylum,” IPOB said.

KanyiDaily recalls that the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed had said that UK’s decision to grant asylum to “persecuted” IPOB, MASSOB members is disrespectful of Nigeria as a nation.