The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has denounced and called for the arrest of the Senate Committee Chairman on Foreign Affairs, Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa, over what they termed hate speech against the Ìgbò race.
In an announcement by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, the pro-Biafra group said: “What else could be more provoking than such a reckless utterance by a supposed Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bulkachuwa, to say that South East is home to criminals, rebels and warrant to be eliminated? The announcement, which he made while starring on a live program of national television, Channels TV, is a call for genocide and should not be swept under the carpet.”
Quoting Bulkachuwa, the statement said: “They’re just rebels, firebug, and criminals. So, what are we going to consider to even give them chance to say their wish and let Nigeria tremble and bow before them and say, ‘okay, we’ve granted you your wish.’
“Those insurgents in the Southeast are alleging they want their own country called Biafra, right? If that is the case, is it that by assassinating people they’ll get their country?
“They’ve attempted it before; do they want us to go back to the same path? I don’t think so. But if they do, if that’s what they choose, has Nigeria got any choice?
“Will we just permit them, bow and say, ‘we’ll grant you your wish?’ No. The Nigerian government has to stand out, fight them and give them what they want.”
Bulkachuwa made the declaration related in June 2021.
Continuing, the IPOB announcement said: “We, therefore, want the international community to hold Bulkachuwa accountable for any genocidal action against the people of the South East of Nigeria.
“This wicked and vulnerable utterance has further exposed the pretense and double standard of Nigerian society. Were it to be an Igbo Senator that made similar statements, by now he would have been a guest to the security agencies.
“Why will a supposed Senator of the federal republic call for the death of a tribe and still be strolling the streets free? The only reason he is still moving freely is that he is speaking the mind of the Fulani cabal holding Nigeria captive.”