Kanu: 52 groups threaten to merge with IPOB; Insist that ‘Buhari is pushing us out of Nigeria;’ . Issue 15-day ultimatum; Call for restructuring of Nigeria into six regions

The agitation for Biafra restoration weekend, received a boost as 52 Civil Society Organisations (CSO), ethnic nationalities and trade associations have threatened to align with the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), “if Nnamdi Kanu is not released unconditionally as ruled by the courts.”

The groups which gave the threat after their meeting in Enugu gave the Federal Government up to the end of October to free Kanu, or risk their affiliation to Biafra.

The groups decried the continued detention of Kanu contrary to court rulings, describing it as executive impunity and a prelude to anarchy which they vowed to vigorously resist.

They accused Buhari of forcing them out of Nigeria through his biased policies and lopsided appointments.

“Everything is being done to rub in that we are not part of Nigeria, and Buhari is deliberately pushing us out of Nigeria,” the groups noted.

Some of the groups present at the meeting include: Igbo Women Assembly, Igbo Youth Movement, South East Christian Network, Igbo Traders Association and Igbo Students Union.

Others were Niger Delta Youth Forum, South South Youth Congress, South East Professionals, Igbo in Academia, Eastern Nigerian Congress, and Igbo Diaspora Organization.

Present also were representatives of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Umuada Alaigbo, and World Igbo Congress.

Others include Umuigbo United Front, South South/South East Coalition, Traditional Healers Union, United Road Workers Union and Food Stuff Dealers Association, among others.

According to a two-point communiqué issued after their meeting and obtained by our Correspondent in Umuahia, the groups vowed to carry out their threat within the month “if Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not released unconditionally, in obedience to a high court ruling of December 2015.”

They said the way the Buhari-led federal government was handling Kanu’s matter “is very provocative,” and accused Buhari of toying with Nigeria’s unity.

The communique read in part: “We are giving notice to the world, that if the unjust, provocative and very divisive detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not specially looked into for the sake of peace, equity and justice, we may no longer restrain our members, affiliates, friends and sisters’ groups who have indicated their resolve to join and merge with the IPOB in solidarity with their persecution and unjust detention of their leader.”

According to the groups, it is no crime for any people to seek self determination if they feel tired of continuing with any union as recommended by the United Nations.

They said Buhari’s arrogance in dealing with the Biafra agitation could no longer be condoned, hence their threat to join the struggles for the new republic as Buhari has frustrated efforts “to build a truly united Nigerian nation.”

”The federal government is steadily making it difficult for the country to remain one, through its brazen, oppressive and determined effort to strike fear into the hearts of citizens in order to foist a fascist reign of ethnic, regional and religious dominance of one region over another,” the groups said.

The groups accused Buhari of pursuing a secret agenda to turn Nigeria into an Islamic state but vowed to resist him.

“Capitulation to this unholy agenda would mean sentencing our progeny to a permanent status of serfs which we can’t allow”, they groups said.

They also berated the President for his refusal to heed calls by various persons and groups to restructure Nigeria.

According to them, “the delay to redesign Nigeria to six regions is the source of 99% of the problems afflicting the nation today.”

They lent their support for a six-region structure as already being canvassed in many quarters, insisting that Buhari must give heed to the people’s request.

“Six regional structure remains the only formula to salvage, and rebuild Nigeria,” they said, adding that those opposed to the proposal are “only working towards the eventual disintegration of the country.

“All political, economic and social indicators point to the self-evident truth that only an early reversal to the six-regional structure will save the country now,” they warned.