15 August 2016, Warri — THE Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger-Delta, MEND, today, took the the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, to the cleaners, saying he agreed in secret to renounce ‘Biafra’ in exchange for freedom, only to act hypocritically in public after sealing discussion with MEND on the matter.
Spokesperson of MEND, Jomo Gbomo, in a vitriolic statement, said: “The attention of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has been drawn to the recent spate of hypocritical and provocative statements issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu,” the group said the IPOB/Kanu statements “purport to dissociate IPOB/Kanu from some of the concessions, which have so far been secured by MEND in the ongoing talks aimed at resolving the current Niger Delta crisis between the Federal Government and MEND.”
Its words, “MEND hereby uses this opportunity to inform the entire world that following the group’s ongoing negotiations with the Federal Government, Nnamdi Kanu has made it clear that he is willing to renounce “Biafra” in secret; in exchange for his freedom.”
“MEND and the Federal Government have, however, flatly rejected the IPOB/Kanu hypocrisy to remain defiant in public; while accepting to secretly renounce secession. It asserted: “MEND, therefore, urges the already frustrated and desperate Mr Kanu and IPOB to swallow their pride and make a public denunciation of ‘Biafra.”
The group argued that the public denunciation by Kanu was important so as not continue deceiving the gullible donors and followers sold to the illusion of a ‘Biafra Republic’ that aims to annexe the Niger Delta region as part of its territory. It said there was a need for them (donors and followers) to “become fully aware that the so-called ‘Biafra Republic’ is merely a business venture and scam whose sole beneficiaries are Kanu, directors of IPOB and their families and cronies.”
*Emma Amaize and Perez Brisibe – Thisday
