The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has given the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum to ensure the immediate listing and hearing of its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu’s appeal, warning that failure to do so could trigger a boycott of the 2027 general elections across the South-East and other areas it identifies as Biafraland.
The ultimatum was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, following renewed concerns from Kanu’s family over what the group described as delays in the hearing of his appeal against his conviction and life sentence.
Powerful said Kanu had written to the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the President of the Court of Appeal, requesting the immediate listing and hearing of his pending appeal.
According to IPOB, the Federal Government has yet to file its respondent’s brief, list the appeal or appear before the appellate court to defend the conviction.
The group accused the government of adopting a different approach to the case, alleging that it moved swiftly to secure Kanu’s conviction but had since failed to take the necessary steps to defend that decision before the Court of Appeal.
IPOB said the continued delay had heightened concerns among Kanu’s family and supporters, prompting the group to issue the 14-day ultimatum.
The separatist group warned that if the government failed to facilitate the hearing of the appeal within the stipulated period, it would consider mobilising its supporters to boycott the 2027 elections across the South-East and other parts of Biafraland.
IPOB argued that the Federal Government should be prepared to defend Kanu’s conviction through the appellate process and questioned its alleged failure to participate in the proceedings.
The group’s latest position adds a political dimension to the ongoing legal battle surrounding Kanu, with the threat of an election boycott potentially affecting political participation in the South-East ahead of the 2027 general elections.
IPOB maintained that the immediate listing and hearing of Kanu’s appeal remains central to resolving the matter through the judicial process.
