The media was agog yesterday, Friday, following the meeting of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Maazi Nnamdi Kanu and the Leadership of the Ala-Igbo Development Foundation, with reports that Nnamdi Kanu had withdrawn his threat to boycott Anambra state election.
According to reports, the President of the organization, Prof. Uzodimma Nwala was quoted as saying “after much deliberation, IPOB has assured it won’t disrupt Anambra state governorship election.”
However, the statement accredited to Prof Uzodimma in media reports is a contrasting twist to what both Nnamdi Kanu and Prof Uzodimma stated, briefly after the meeting.
According to Nnamdi Kanu, “IPOB is not a violent organization” and therefore, will not apply force on voters as the group is confident the boycott will be carried out willingly and peacefully by the Anambra people; both its members and sympathizers of the Biafra cause.
He however, hinted of some possibility of shift in position by assuring he would “meet with the leadership of IPOB” for consultation.
His words: “I came because of my respect for elders. IPOB is not a violent group. We are law abiding citizens of the society.
“What we have today will guide us in the issue of Anambra election. I will go and meet with the leadership of IPOB.”
On his part, Prof Uzodimma, was not assuring on the resolution of both groups at the end of the meeting.
He said, “As you see in our midst, you see our brother, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, we have come to discuss the issue of mutual concern, especially on Anambra election. We are happy he is here with us.
“As we know, the IPOB decision on boycott of election and you know that IPOB is an organized group and the agitations born out of marginalization of the Igbo.
“We are glad he has explained to us the reason they issued the boycott order and that it is not his personal decision but that of the IPOB leadership. We are meeting for the first time and will meet again. No decision has been taken.”
