The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, speaking through one of his lawyersm said he has no contact, ties or any form of relationship with the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).Recall that the militant groups had given the release of Kanu, as a condition for the return of peace in the Niger Delta region.
Ifeanyi Ejiofor, one of Kanu’s lawyers, said his client has no relationship with any militant group, hence MEND could not have represented him in any negotiation with the government.
“In the past few days, the media was awash with news of negotiation going on between the federal government and members of MEND, where our client’s name (Nnamdi kanu) conspicuously featured,”he said.
“It is on that note that we wish to inform the general public that Nnamdi kanu has no connection, contact, ties or any form of relationship with the members of MEND.
“As such MEND has no implied, direct or express authority of Nnamdi Kanu to represent him or IPOB in any purported negotiation, going on between MEND and the federal government. The general public is accordingly advised to ignore, discountenance and disregard the falsehood being peddled by MEND.
“Nnamdi Kanu does not know them. However, Nnamdi Kanu is not averse to a political solution in resolving the present politically-orchestrated ordeal. Nnamdi Kanu welcomes genuine political solution to this case.”
Asked if Kanu would abandon his campaign for an independent state of Biafra in exchange for freedom, Amuobi Nzelu, another lawyer, said that his client would not jettison the agitation even if he was released.
“It is not easy to drop an ideology. IPOB is bigger than Nnamdi Kanu. Self-determination is as a result of marginalisation.”
