IPOB Slams Akpabio Over ‘Peace Talk,’ Calls Remarks Political Blackmail

• IPOB has criticised Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s recent comments, describing them as threats and insisting its demand remains a referendum on Biafra self-determination.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has strongly criticised remarks by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, describing his comments as “state propaganda” and “political blackmail” rather than a genuine call for peace.

In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, the group reacted to Akpabio’s comments in Enugu, where he urged Igbo youths to “shun armed struggle” and warned that “state power will always overwhelm you,” while also suggesting political concessions such as the creation of an additional state.

IPOB rejected the remarks, stating, “Let us be clear from the outset: this was not a peace message. It was a threat. It was not dialogue. It was political blackmail wrapped in funeral rhetoric.” The group insisted that its agitation is not violent but centred on a democratic referendum.

“IPOB is not engaged in armed struggle against Nigeria… IPOB is founded on one simple democratic demand: a referendum. Nothing more. Nothing less,” the statement said, adding, “A referendum is not war. A referendum is not terrorism. A referendum is not armed struggle.”

The group maintained that the call for self-determination is rooted in democratic principles and legal provisions, arguing that sovereignty ultimately lies with the people. It also cited provisions of Nigerian law and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to support its position on the right to self-determination.

IPOB further alleged that the Federal Government has continued to misrepresent its activities, accusing authorities of attempting to criminalise its demands and pressure its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, into abandoning the Biafra cause.

The statement also criticised the suggestion of creating an additional state for the South-East, describing it as inadequate and dismissing it as a political concession that does not address the core demand for self-determination.

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“Biafra is not a bargaining chip for constitutional crumbs… You do not answer a sovereignty question with local government arithmetic,” the group said.

IPOB also faulted the government’s handling of security and political issues in the South-East, arguing that economic and social disruptions in the region stem from broader political tensions rather than its activities.

Reaffirming its stance, the group stated that its demand remains a referendum to determine the political future of the people, adding that no amount of political pressure would force a change in that position.