Doyin Okupe, a former aide to President Goodluck Jonathan, has said that the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB), has proved that it is not a terrorist organisation.
He said this after reports have it that the group has cancelled its earlier sit-at-home order that could have disrupted the Anambra governorship election.
Recall that IPOB earlier said there will be a one-week sit-at-home in the South-east.
The order was given to discourage Anambra residents from taking part in today’s governorship election.
However, IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, announced the cancellation of the sit at home.
He revealed that the group decided to cancel the sit-at-home order because of “the genuine intervention of our elders, esteemed traditional Institutions /Rulers and Religious Leaders”.
Reacting to this via his Facebook page, Doyin Okupe described IPOB ’s action as “heartwarming”.
He went on to advise the Nigerian federal government to open a window of opportunity for peaceful negotiation with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the IPOB group at large.
Mr Okupe said;
“This decision of IPOB is a very reasonable one, coming from an organisation whose major concern is justice, equity and self-determination for its people.
“By this singular act of compassionate and progressive civility, in furtherance of our democracy, IPOB, to my mind has proved unequivocally that it is not a terrorist organisation rather it is one that can be called to a round table to reason with,”
Going further, Okupe stated that the peace talks and negotiations can resolve in weeks what viciousness, war and bloodshed may not accomplish in quite a long while.
He called on citizens of Nigeria to convince the public authority to open discussions with IPOB.
“May God help and guide our leaders to lead us aright in Jesus Name..”He added.
CREDIT: PremiumTimes
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