Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, the self-styled leader of the Biafran separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) said he rejected the offer by the federal government to have a Biafran State comprising of only the five Eastern state but rejected the offer because Rivers and Benue States were not included.
According to Kanu, a Biafran State without Rivers and Benue states is unacceptable.
Kanu who also claimed that he was offered oil blocks by the federal government to give up the agitation for Biafra made the claims on Wednesday while addressing a gathering of civil society group at his fathers compound at Afara- Ukwu, Umuahia, Abia state.
“They gave me Biafra in prison with only the five Igbo states; I said no, I want Benue and Rivers states inclusive.”
“Self-actualization is not war. We are not for war. We are not talking of war but self-actualization. Self-determination is not war. Any elite that interprets self-determination to be war does not understand English.
“Biafra is coming; there is nothing that can stop it, no matter the level of intimidation and blackmail. Some people are running around, saying why must it be Nnamdi Kanu, why not me. I am not an elite, I was born to restore Biafra,” he said.
The IPOB leader called out Igbo elites for their anti-Biafra activities and neglect of the welfare of the people of the South East.
Kanu said, “They can’t buy us with money. If I can turn down oil block, turn down mansions in Dubai, what can they offer us? All the roads in Biafra land are in deplorable condition, yet we have elites who are just interested in their pockets.”
“All the roads in Biafra are bad. Apart from Okpara (late Michael Okpara), Mbonu Ojike and Sam Mbakwe, I have not seen any elite in Igbo land. Let them show us what they have done, no roads, no water, nothing. Because they are in Abuja, they are now elites, let them show us what they have done for the people as elites.”
Nnamdi Kanu is currently being tried at Abuja High Court for treasonable felony and was granted bail in May by Justice Binta Nyako, the trial Judge with stringent bail conditions.