Barrister Emeka Emekesiri who described himself as the Vision Bearer, Founder and Solicitor for Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has come up with what he called a legal notice to Anambra State and the entire nation, distancing the group from the call by Nnamdi Kanu, another leader of the group for the boycott of the forthcoming governorship election

Barrister Emeka said that it has become necessary for to issue this public statement by way of Legal Notice and clear the air regarding the “order” issued by Mr Nnamdi Kanu that elections will not hold in the whole Biafraland starting with Anambra State.

“I make this Statement on behalf of the Supreme Council of Elders. Nnamdi Kanu is not the Founder and Leader of the body known as INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF BIAFRA which the Nigerian Government has recognised by Judicial Notice in Suit No. FHC/OW/CS/192/2013 in the Federal High Court Owerri.

“The body known as Indigenous People of Biafra consists of the people led by the Supreme Council of Elders. Few weeks ago, Nnamdi Kanu visited the Supreme Council of Elders and apologised for the evils he did which he described as minor misunderstandings and was advised by the elders to humble himself and be obedient to the rule of law and the instructions laid down by the Customary Government of Indigenous People of Biafra.

“The Supreme Council of Elders has directed all Indigenous People of Biafra to participate in the elections and vote for only hardcore Biafran activists. The return of Nnamdi Kanu to the original IPOB was described by Dr Law Mefor as the return of a prodigal son to his family.

“The current news as reported by various media platforms that Nnamdi Kanu had “ordered” all the Biafrans to boycott the elections in Biafraland shows that he is still a prodigal son and has not truly returned to the family from where he was excommunicated for his past misbehaviour.

“When Mr Nnamdi Kanu was excommunicated by the Supreme Council of Elders of Indigenous People of Biafra many years ago, he took our name and registered it as a private limited liability company in London known as Indigenous People of Biafra Ltd and announced on Radio Biafra London that he had dissolved the Supreme Council of Elders and become the founder and leader of Indigenous People of Biafra.

“The Nigerian Press started promoting him and ignored us, the original Indigenous People of Biafra who had been in Court with the Federal Government of Nigeria since 2012. As he had run away with our Internet Radio, he had the upper hand with media propaganda being also promoted by the Nigerian Press which presented him as the face of the Biafran Struggle and ignored the Supreme Council of Elders whose Chairman is His Royal Majesty, His Lordship, the Honourable Justice Eze Ozobu OFR with his Deputy as Dr Dozie Ikedife.

“The Nigerian Press did not want the world to know the eminent personalities behind the legitimate struggle but decided to promote a man whose mouth was filled with abuses, insults and uncouth language. The Nigerian Government helped to promote him and cause confusion in the legitimate struggle founded under the control of the eminent Elders. LET THE NATION TAKE NOTICE THAT the decision of the Supreme Council of Elders is final in the affairs of Indigenous People of Biafra.

“The “order” purportedly made by Nnamdi Kanu that all Indigenous People of Biafra should boycott the elections is hereby cancelled. I describe that “order” as a foolish order and superlative stupidity. He has bitten more than he can chew.

“He is not the vision bearer and founder of the body known as INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF BIAFRA. He was in the Radio Biafra when we created that body as the plaintiffs in the case between Biafra and Nigeria who sued in a representative capacity. He knew when we were looking for the Elders of Biafraland to sign the documents I filed in Court for the case between Biafra and Nigeria but he hid his father from us as many Elders were afraid to sign the document for fear of being arrested by the Federal Government. It was recently that we knew that his father is a Traditional Ruler.

“He has no power to stop the people from voting in the elections for any candidates of their choice.

“It appears that Nnamdi Kanu does not yet understand that propaganda has an expiry date. His power of propaganda has expired. The Biafrans have known the truth. He promised them Biafra before the end of 2015 but we are now in 2017.

“He used his mouth to destroy every structure we created for the Biafran Struggle by legal methodology but the structures we created are on solid foundations that cannot be destroyed.

“He made the youths to believe that there were 88 countries that had supported Biafra who would fight against Nigeria but these youths were killed by the Nigerian soldiers and no country came to their rescue. He asked them to donate money called the Biafran Defence Funds but the Biafran youths were not defended against the killing, massacre and brutality in the hands of the Nigerian soldiers.

“If the Biafran youths try to stop the election in Anambra State, the Presidency will activate its constitutional powers of emergency rule and declare a “state of emergency” over Anambra State and appoint a military Sole Administrator from Abuja to govern Anambra State.

“Is this what Nnamdi Kanu has planned with the APC-led Federal Government? Does he not know the law or does he not have a lawyer to advise him?

“We cannot allow Abuja to impose a military Sole Administrator on any part of Biafraland. We shall not give them the opportunity to do so.

“The Biafrans have known the truth. They know that Nnamdi Kanu’s propaganda leads to their untimely death while the propagandist enjoys himself.

“He has been made a “supreme leader” by his followers and only people like Emeka Emekesiri can speak sense into him.

“The Bible says that open rebuke is better than secret love. I rebuke him in love to withdraw from this foolish order he gave to his followers.

“Even if his followers obey him, it will not stop the election from holding because the Nigerian Constitution did not prescribe the number of votes required to win the gubernatorial election. Only one family can cast their votes and a winner will be declared!

“I therefore call upon and urge all Indigenous People of Biafra who are wise and obedient to the rule of law to ignore the foolish order issued by Nnamdi Kanu to boycott the elections.

“The elections must hold and we must vote into power the hardcore Biafran activists who will pass the Biafran Bill into law to prepare for our Referendum that will lead to our eventual exist from Nigeria. Everything has a process.” [myad]

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has asked the government to immortalize the Dan Masanin Kano, Alhaji Dr.Yusuf Maitama Sule, who died today in Cairo, Egypt.

Senator Saraki, in statement by the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said that with the death of Maitama Sule “Nigeria has lost a great nationalist.”

He described the late Maitama Sule as a detribalized Nigerian who spoke truth to power at all times during his lifetime, adding that he was “an avowed and highly respected personality, core democrat, fearless politician, exceptional orator and an accomplished public servant.”

He called on both the Federal and the Kano State Governments “to immortalize the great icon of peace and an advocate of justice and fairness” to protect his legacies.

He commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, the Emir of Kano, the Government and people of Kano State over the irreparable loss.

The Senate President said: “it was gratifying that the late Sule lived long to, as one of those who fought for the nation’s independence, witness the modest achievements of Nigeria as a nation.”

Saraki advised Nigerians to toe the path of dialogue in addressing their grievances and eschew ethnic tensions as embodied by the late former minister, saying: “this is the highest respect we will pay to his legacies”.

He said that the deceased would be sorely missed for his knowledge, political sagacity, philanthropy, oratory and courage.

“This is one man that has become a permanent feature in the politics of the country, beginning from first republic when he was appointed a minister at his youthful age.

“Through sheer oratory, the name Maitama Sule had become synonymous with wit and wisdom. He never minced words when speaking against ills in society and how to curb them.

“He would remain an inspiration to both present and forthcoming generations on the lessons of tolerance, unity, and peaceful coexistence.

“He left at a time his wise counsel is in dire need to navigate our way out of current challenges confronting the country.

“I pray the Almighty Allah to grant his soul aljannah firdaus and his family the fortitude to bear the loss.” [myad]

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has described Dr. Yusuf Maitama Sule, who died today in Cairo, Egypt as an agent of national unity.

In a condolence message, the acting President said that Maitama Sule was a great orator, an elder-statesman and a distinguished diplomat.

According to Osinbajo, the deceased is best remembered on the global scene as one of our country’s foremost envoys whose clarity of voice and vision contributed significantly to the high esteem and respect Nigeria earned at the United Nations.

Professor Osinbajo also remembers Maitama as an illustrious son of Nigeria, a great Nigerian leader and committed nationalist.

He said that even as he advanced in age, Maitama Sule was always prepared to reach out to other leaders of thought across the country in the noble quest for unity, tolerance and national cohesion.

“He did not waver in lending his voice to the promotion of moderation in national discourse, and his graceful conduct thereto would be sorely missed.

According to the Acting President, Maitama Sule never relented in applying his wealth of experience to advance the cause of unity, peace and progress of Nigeria, and that his fatherly counsel to those in authority had always been bold, sincere and untainted.

The acting President commended the deceased’s patriotic fervour and passionate zeal for public service, even as he recalled Maitama Sule’s unparalleled dedication to duty as a formidable diplomat, politician, Minister and acclaimed orator whose well researched and excellently delivered speeches inspired and impressed several Nigerians. [myad]