Nnamdi Kanu says prominent Igbo politicians are soliciting his support ahead of 2019 polls

INDIGENOUS People of Biafra (Ipob) leader Nnamdi Kanu has claimed that prominent Igbo politicians are soliciting his support in the run-up to the 2019 elections in response to his sudden popularity following his two year incarceration.

In 2015, Mr Kanu was arrested by security agents after he travelled to Nigeria from the UK where he runs an unregistered radio station called radio Biafra. Following a lengthy legal battle, he was finally granted bail last month and has begun touring the country to thank his supporters and all those who campaigned for his release.

Last week, Mr Kanu even met with former vice president Dr Alex Ekweueme, who he described as his father. Over the weekend, Mr Kanu was receiving visitors at his Afaraukwu residence in Umuahia, Abia State, where he told them that he is under pressure from Nigerian politicians, especially from the southeast to give them his support.

Mr Kanu said: “The same politicians who called us noise makers, internet warriors, miscreants and so many names today sneak in here to come and lobby for my support. They will always ask me to support them to get into office, that while they are in office, they will help push the cause but I know that what they are after is the four or eight years they will stay so that they can make money.

“For me, money is not my problem. They have been calling me to come to Abuja, come to so  place but the money is not my interest as for me, it is about Biafra."

He said the fears being entertained by politicians about the coming of Biafra republic were neither here nor there because it would be founded on the principle of justice, equity and fairness. According to Mr Kanu, Biafra will be a home for all people who agree with their values.

“If you are from Sokoto you can be a Biafran if you believe in our value system of equity, justice and fairness. I don’t even intend to be the head of Biafra republic in the end as I don’t like to always lead and I want to be led so that I can proffer solutions.

“If Uwazuruike had done well, I won’t be doing what I’m doing today. I’m into this struggle because of leadership vacuum," Mr Kanu added.

Asked whether he agreed with the late Igbo leader Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, that Biafra should now be a thing of the mind and not a geographical space, Mr Kanu said Biafra had a geographical location and its people were known and defined. He said those who were distancing themselves from the Biafra struggle would regret it.