Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the leader of the Yoruba socio-cultural group Afenifere, has advised Igbo leaders not to antagonize Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
In 2017, the IPOB leader violated the bail conditions imposed by Justice Binta Nyako, before whom he was on trial.
He was, however, re-arrested in Kenya in June 2021 and extradited to Nigeria to stand trial again. Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Service since his extradition (DSS).
On Monday, January 17, the federal government filed a new 15-count terrorism charge against him, increasing the counts in the initial charge bordering on treasonable felony from seven to fifteen.
M. B. Abubakar, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), signed the 15-count amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015.
However, in an exclusive interview with TheNiche, Adebanjo stated that Kanu committed no crime and warned Ndigbo against alienating him.
“I told Igbo leaders not to antagonize IPOB,” he said.
Despite the fact that Adebanjo has never met Kanu, he believes the embattled IPOB leader will be the Igbo savior.
“I’ve never met Nnamdi Kanu, but I advise you not to oppose him because he will be your (Igbo) savior.”
Adebanjo, a protégé of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, explained his position by saying, “But for Nnamdi Kanu, but for Sunday Igboho, restructuring will not be on the front burner of discussions.”
“They both brought the issue to the forefront.”
The 93-year-old Yoruba leader expressed regret that, just as the issue of restructuring was gaining traction, a bait of who would be President was thrown to the Igbo, and that an otherwise proud, intelligent people with all their education are allowing those he claims have only primary school education to dribble them.
Adebanjo stated that Ndigbo are unaware of the asset they have in IPOB.
“It is significant if IPOB can mobilize the people and say don’t go out, and despite the governors’ position, no one goes out.”
Adebanjo, who insisted on the importance of mobilization because he does not trust the Fulani, said he is giving the same advice to the Yoruba.
“I don’t put my trust in any Fulani man.” And, as I told Governor Akeredolu, passing a resolution is fine, but first rally your people; no restructuring, no election.”
Go ahead and mobilize. That is where you will find your weapon.
“They are in your village and my village,” says the Fulani leader, “so don’t fight them with violence.” And they’re all armed. They’ll run you over.
But we have one weapon with which we can easily defeat them: civil disobedience.
“If we don’t participate in this election, let Buhari go on.” Some say it’s difficult, but I’m glad they’re saying it’s difficult rather than impossible.”
“If you can’t fight a difficult battle, go and submit to slavery.”
Adebanjo stated that Igbo leaders were wrong to beg President Muhammadu Buhari to release Nnamdi Kanu.
“When they did that, I thought to myself, ‘Oh, my God.’ I was embarrassed. And imagine Mbazulike Amechi leading that delegation. ”
Amechi was with us in the trenches when we were fighting the colonialists. He was in charge of the NCNC youth group. We were part of the Action Group.
“Ndigbo then went to beg Buhari, a Fulani reactionary, to release your people.” “How have your people fared”
