The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has faulted the Nigerian government’s proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorists’ organisation.

Obi, who spoke while featuring on Channels TV, said that IPOB was neither a terrorist organisation nor was its members terrorists.

The Anambra State-born businessman and former governor of the state maintained that IPOB members did not constitute a threat to the country.

Obi said, “The only thing I disagree with is naming IPOB terrorists; they are not terrorists. Those who took the decision may have information that I don’t have. I stay in Onitsha, and I can tell you that they are people I pass on the road every day.

“I meet and live with them; in fact, I usually see people gathering, and I have never had the sense of threat or molestation from them, even when they gather.”

Recall that in January 2017 shortly after the South-East Governors Forum led by Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi, was pressured by the President Muhammadu Buhari to ban the activities of IPOB, the Federal High Court in Abuja proscribed IPOB as a terrorists’ organisation.

IPOB appeal challenging the ruling the ex parte judgment bu Justice Abdu Kafarati, proscribing the separatist organisation is still pending before an Appeal Court in Abuja.

Justice Kafarati had on September 20, 2017, made the order proscribing IPOB and designating it as a terrorist group upon an ex parte application by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN).

The judge had while justifying the issuance of the proscription order in chambers following an ex parte application was in accordance with the provision of the Terrorism Prevention Act.

He said, “I hold that the ex parte application by the Attorney General of the Federation was properly brought.

“The Indigenous People of Biafra can sue and be sued in Nigeria. I so hold.”

He also held that hearing the AGF’s motion ex parte, did not violate the group’s right to fair hearing, rights to freedom of assembly, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression.

According to the judge, the procedure adopted by the court in hearing and issuing the ex parte order was as provided for in section 21 of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act.

He held that the AGF met all the requirements for the filing of the motion, including exhibiting the presidential order proscribing the organisaton.

“The memo of the President was attached to the application as Exhibit 11A,” he ruled.
But, IPOB had denied the terrorist tag by the Nigerian government.

However, Obi in the interview backed the claims that members of the group are not terrorists. Several Igbo leaders didn't share the terrorist tag on IPOB by the federal government.

Meanwhile, security agencies have killed several Igbo youths and hundreds disappeared without trace since 2017 under the pretext that IPOB was an unlawful organisation.

thebosstrevor1:
Peter obi is the new Ipob leader

2elliot:
He is no longer the killer of MASSOB youths ba? You be mumu.

Kwanza:
https://saharareporters.com/2022/10/04/ipob-members-are-not-terrorists-i-meet-live-them-without-threats-peter-obi

Nlfpmod Mynd44

thebosstrevor1:


He killed his rival group massob to be number 1

2elliot:
you be mumu

gidgiddy:


What Obi said is true. As at 2017, IPOB was not armed and had no record of touching anyone. But the federal government declared it a terrorist group. What sort of terrorist group is neither armed and does not destroy life and property? It was a grave injustice that helped get us where we are today. The USA, EU and even Ohanaeze, all disagreed that IPOB was a terrorist group, so did Obi

To this dsy, 99.9% of Igbos do not believe IPOB is a terrorist group, the only people who believe that IPOB is terrorist group are usually non Igbos who dont even live in the South East

2elliot:
He is no longer the killer of MASSOB youths ba? You be mumu.

Tochj:
IPOB have branches in Every country of the world
Their leaders and members are known
They have Address
How are they terrorists

thebosstrevor1:


They are terrorists, maybe you need glasses to see the killings in the south east.

Al Qaeda also have branches all over the world.

gidgiddy:


You mean the same glasses Buhari was wearing when he proscribed IPOB in 2017 even though they were not armed and touched nobody?

But the same Buhari took off the glasses when armed herdsmen from his own tribe were killing people right across the country

Kwanza:

thebosstrevor1:


They are terrorists, maybe you need glasses to see the killings in the south east.

Al Qaeda also have branches all over the world.

omenka:
Mynd44, this deserves the fp. Let the whole world see Obi for who he is.

gidgiddy:


What Obi said is true. As at 2017, IPOB was not armed and had no record of touching anyone. But the federal government declared it a terrorist group. What sort of terrorist group is neither armed and does not destroy life and property? It was a grave injustice that helped get us where we are today. The USA, EU and even Ohanaeze, all disagreed that IPOB was a terrorist group, so did Obi

To this dsy, 99.9% of Igbos do not believe IPOB is a terrorist group, the only people who believe that IPOB is terrorist group are usually non Igbos who dont even live in the South East

GTkester:
Fake news! An interview done in 2017.. Shame

omenka:
Folks, which other proof do you need?

Can you see the scoundrel you imagine is deserving of the stool of power on our dear country? Is this someone you imagine could call the bluff, let alone punish, the people responsible for the carnage ravaging the East?

Can you see his wholesale endorsement of the people that broke crooks out of jail, killer traditional rulers, killed people participating in voter registration, killed vigilantes, killed little girls for ritual purposes, burned down state owned institutions in the East, cannibalised innocent civilians, killer Akunyili, etc?

God forbid!!

Urheadmaster:
And this was way back 2017