The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called on all Igbos to boycott the June 12 Democracy Day activities, arguing that the Nigerian Government continues to ignore the significance of May 30th, Biafra Remembrance Day.
This call was issued through a statement signed by IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, on June 10, 2025. Powerful insisted that the Igbo people should refuse participation in any Democracy Day events as long as the Nigerian state fails to recognize the sacrifices of Biafrans.
“Finally, we call on all Biafrans to ignore any call for participation in June 12-related events,” Powerful stated. “Until Nigeria learns to respect and honour May 30th—our sacred Biafran Remembrance Day—we shall not partake in their selective history or skewed national rituals.”
June 12 was officially designated by the Nigerian government as Democracy Day to commemorate the annulled 1993 presidential election, widely believed to have been won by the late Chief MKO Abiola. However, IPOB argues that this date holds no relevance to the Igbo people and their historical struggles.
Emma Powerful further used the opportunity to clarify IPOB’s stance on recent controversies surrounding the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-political body. He strongly rejected the idea that the group is factionalised.
“Ohanaeze is not factionalised,” he said. “The notion of a ‘factional’ Ohanaeze exists only in the minds of hungry political errand boys doing the bidding of their Abuja slave masters.”
He particularly singled out Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, distancing both the Igbo nation and the Biafran freedom movement from any comments made by him.
“Isiguzoro is unknown to the Igbo race as representing any recognised wing or faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo,” Powerful said. “Any individual parading himself as a ‘factional’ leader is not only insulting the Igbo nation but also daring IPOB with such impunity.”
The statement emphasized that Senator Emmanuel Mbatta is the legitimate and respected leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Powerful also condemned attempts to redefine the geographical and cultural scope of Igbo land, arguing that Igbos are indigenous to more than just seven states.
“The recent claim that Igboland exists in only seven states of Nigeria is an outrageous falsehood,” he said. “Igbo-speaking people are indigenous to 13 states of this British-created contraption called Nigeria. Any attempt to shrink our ancestral footprint is an unforgivable betrayal.”
He stressed that IPOB does not claim to represent Ohanaeze Ndigbo but reserves the right to criticize it when necessary.
“IPOB is a proud promoter of free speech, but let everyone make their comments in their personal capacity or through their own platforms,” Powerful noted. “Dragging the name of Ohanaeze into every sponsored narrative is cowardly, fraudulent, and unacceptable.”
In conclusion, the IPOB reiterated that its position is not driven by hostility, but by the need to preserve Igbo dignity and historical truth.
“This is not just about IPOB. This is about our dignity, our truth, and our right to define who we are.”
The statement has since stirred fresh debate across the Southeast, with mixed reactions from various socio-political stakeholders regarding the appropriateness and timing of the boycott call.
