By cancelling sit-at-home, IPOB has proved it’s not a terrorist group — Okupe

A former Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe, has said the cancellation by the Indigenous People of Biafra, of its planned one-week sit-at-home in the South-East, had proved the group was not a terrorist organisation.

According to the former Presidential Aide, the decision of IPOB to cancel the one-week sit-at-home was indicative of the fact that it believed in the principle of justice, equity and self-determination, for its people.

Okupe stated this in a statement he personally signed, a copy of which was made available to The PUNCH, on Friday.

According to Okupe, in the statement, “It was heartwarming to learn that IPOB cancelled the Sit-At-Home order, which would have put a lot of uncertainties on the Anambra State governorship elections.

“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.

“It was in my own realisation of this fact that I made a call a few days ago that in the interest of peace in the South-East region, it is now time for the Federal Government, to open a window of opportunity for peaceful negotiation with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the IPOB.

“I wish to appeal to all peace-loving Nigerians to add their voices to persuade our government to show magnanimity and make this all-important move now! Peace talks and sincere negotiations can resolve in weeks, what violence, war and its attendant bloodshed may not achieve in several years.

“May God help and guide our leaders to lead us alright, in Jesus Name. Long live the federal Republic of Nigeria.”