The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to conduct a referendum that would allow Biafra to exit Nigeria peacefully. The group warned that ignoring this demand could lead to another civil war.
To prevent a repeat of the 1967-1970 war, IPOB asserted that since the Nigerian government seemingly does not regard the South-East as part of the nation, it should grant the region a referendum. According to the group, this would be the best way to avoid conflict and allow for a peaceful separation.
Founded in 2014 to advocate for the re-establishment of the defunct Biafra Republic, IPOB accused the Nigerian government of deliberately sidelining the South-East in the allocation of capital projects under the 2025 national budget.
Emma Powerful, IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, stated, “This is a clear indication that the Nigerian state has rejected Ndigbo as citizens.” He further stressed that the sooner the Igbo people realise that their future and economic progress depend on an independent Biafra, the better.
The pro-Biafra group highlighted the South-East’s significant contributions to Nigeria’s economy, pointing out that the region accounts for over 40% of revenues from oil, gas, and non-oil sectors. Despite this, IPOB lamented that no major infrastructure project was allocated to the region in the 2025 budget.
IPOB accused President Tinubu’s government of fostering ethnic discrimination and hostility against the Igbo people. “This administration has made it clear that Ndigbo are not considered an integral part of Nigeria. It is time to wake up and stop believing in a system that deliberately marginalises us,” the group stated.
Expressing disappointment with lawmakers from the South-East, IPOB criticised their silence on the issue. It argued that true representatives of the people should have boycotted the National Assembly in protest against what it described as blatant discrimination.
In a statement titled “Exclusion of Ndigbo from Capital Projects in the 2025 Budget Should Motivate Ndigbo to Pursue Biafran Independence,” IPOB urged the Igbo people to remain firm in their pursuit of self-determination. The group insisted that the only way to secure dignity and economic prosperity is through the creation of a sovereign Biafran state.
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