From Jeff Amechi Agbodo, Onitsha
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has written the Nigerian Police and Department of Security Services (DSS) seeking permission for its proposed solidarity rally for the United States of America (USA) President-elect, Donald Trump’s inauguration tomorrow.
The group said the rally, scheduled to hold at Igweocha, Port-Harcourt, River State would be in support of the swearing in and oath taking of Trump as the 45th president of the USA and for the release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu and others detained illegally in all the DSS secret cells and prisons across Nigeria.
In a letter titled ‘Permission Letter’ addressed to Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mr. Foluso Adebanjo and the Director/Head of DSS, signed by spokespersons of IPOB, Mr. Emma Nmezu and Dr. Clifford Iroanya, the group called on security agents to ensure hitch free rally.
The letter was copied to the Inspector General of Police, Amnesty International, European Union, ECOWAS, British Embassy, American Embassy, Inter-Society, traditional rulers, National Judicial Council, Nigeria Union of Journalists and National Students Union Government.
The letter read: “With due respect, we, on behalf of IPOB, formally write to inform you of our intention to carry out a peaceful solidarity rally here in Port Harcourt, River State, for United States of America President-elect, Donald J. Trump on January 20, 2017 being the official day of his inauguration.
“We seek your permission to assist us in maintaining law and order and to wade off criminals who may want to create crisis to tarnish the hard-earned image of IPOB and also see how peacefully we shall conduct ourselves as always.
“We are law-abiding people, as we have proven countless times, and will always maintain peace as it concerns law and justice.
“The purpose is to demonstrate the acceptance of pragmatic and robust democracy with our fold and to encourage justice anywhere it is exercised. We, therefore, look forward to your cooperation and understanding,” the letter read.
The group said the peaceful rally would be for Biafrans, friends of Biafra and lovers of freedom world over to understand how resolute and committed the group is towards the emancipation, realisation and proclamation of Biafra.
“We Biafrans abhor slavery and subjugation of human beings in whatever form or guise.
“This IPOB peaceful rally for Trump will feature display of pictures of our able leader, Nnamdi Kanu, pictures of those detained illegally alongside him and those of President Donald Trump.”
“As usual, we shall maintain strict discipline of non-violence. However, we must reiterate that, should soldiers fire at IPOB peaceful protesters, heaven will fall.
“The non-violent position of our great movement will be revoked with immediate effect. Our only interest is to exercise our right to peaceful protest and lawful assembly as recognised in law,” group stated.
– The Sun
