The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has disclaimed any responsibility for the delay in the burial of the late Senator Ifeanyi Uba, whose funeral has been postponed in his hometown of Nnewi North, Anambra State.
In a recent statement, the group emphasized that the delay has no connection to the abduction and extradition of IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria.
Through a statement issued by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, IPOB suggested that Senator Uba’s actions while in office may have led to tensions within his community. “It is a known fact that late Senator Ifeanyi Uba stepped on the toes of many Igbo people, particularly his Nnewi people. The delay in his burial is not connected with the kidnapping and rendition of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” the statement read. “Those who collaborated with the Nigerian government in committing these abominations are still around.”
IPOB further clarified that Nnewi’s traditional leaders are fully aware of the reasons behind the delay. “The Nnewi traditional leaders and their custodians are people of rich culture and traditions. They know why the burial of the late Senator is being delayed,” IPOB stated, urging that neither their group nor Kanu be linked to the issue.
The group stressed their respect for the cultural unity within Nnewi and encouraged the community leaders to handle the matter according to tradition. “IPOB respects the oneness and deep tradition among Nnewi people. They know what to do to ensure that peace reigns in Nnewi. IPOB encourages them to do what is culturally permissible to ensure that the remains of their son are not buried outside their ancestral land.”
In a pointed message to politicians, IPOB suggested that Uba’s burial issues should serve as a warning to other influential figures within the region. “What is happening to the burial of late Senator Uba should be a wake-up call to the radicals and the untouchable politicians to remember that one day Biafrans may reject your corpse and even that of their children. They may even be treated like outcasts and possibly banished from Biafra Land. Let he who has ears hear what the spirit is saying,” IPOB warned.
The statement concluded by hinting at future actions in response to the alleged forces behind Kanu’s extradition, noting, “We have the information of those who bankrolled and sponsored the abduction and renditioning of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria. And we will take an appropriate response at the right time. For now, we are much more concerned with other pressing matters to IPOB.”
