Vincent Obetta- legal counsel to incarcerated leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu- has declared that there is no possibility of his client apologising to President Muhammadu Buhari.
Discussing with TheCable on Wednesday, December 26, Obetta said that the rumored news of Kanu’s apology only shows that the government would go to any length to destroy Biafra campaigner’s defense in court.
“It is not true. The government is using every instrument to puncture what we are doing.”
The Biafra leader’s supposed apology to the President, former President Goodluck Jonathan and Igbo leaders was contained in a statement made available to the Department of State Services on October 23.
It reads: “Reference to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a terrorist, evil and a paedophile is regrettable and uncalled for and for that, I unreservedly apologise and will be doing so in a private letter to the President.
“Before PMB (President Muhammadu Buhari) there was the administration of Goodluck Jonathan. I also said uncomplimentary things about him and Igbo elders as well, which I now recognise should not have happened because it is un-African to be rude or insolent to elders.
“All I was trying to do is to draw attention to the problems afflicting society and something done about them.”
Justifying his agitation for secession, Kanu further stated that the agenda of IPOB stemmed from the ‘incessant hardship, lack of holistic development in the socio-economic landscape of Nigeria, lack of youth employment, corruption in high offices and economic regression.’
He revealed in the statement that IPOB was registered with the United Nations to pursue the rights of the people of Biafra.
“I can confirm that I, Nnamdi Kanu, is the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra worldwide as a legitimately and duly registered body at the United Nations pursuing the rights of a specific indigenous people, in this case, Biafra, to seek self determination according to the said charter.
“The reason for the formation of the Indigenous People of Biafra is to avail those referring to themselves as Biafrans the opportunity made available as a result of the United Nations declaration to seek the peaceful rebirth of Biafra in line with international law.”
