The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is plotting to stir a global apathy against Nigeria by falsely claiming that Christians are being persecuted, the Presidency said on Sunday.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said IPOB had secured the services of lobbyists and funded non-government organisations (NGO) to drive concocted claims against the Federal Government.
He said the aim is to diplomatically blackmail foreign countries, including the United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom (UK), into rupturing relations with Nigeria.
Shehu said the elaborately planned scheme, which had already started gaining steam with some officials of the American government, including the Secretary of State, Mr Mike Pompeo, had been receiving monthly funding of $85,000 since last October 2019.
The Presidency said IPOB’s the Christian persecution claim should not be taken seriously.
Shehu said in a statement: “Nigerians and the international community are hereby advised to ignore this campaign as they have disregarded similar past campaigns originated by this group which has been designated as a terrorist organisation by the Nigerian state.
“International groups and societies are welcome to send representatives to Nigeria and give a lie to the false claims made by these terrorist groups who are duping them of their money and involving them in conduct and activities disguised to destroy the harmonious relationships existing between their home countries and Nigeria.”
He said the “misleading campaign” was spearheaded by IPOB using false allegations of persecution of Christians against the Nigerian state.
The statement reads: “A very deep and wide investigation by an agency of the Nigerian government, working with international partners, has made us aware of two interconnected campaigns being run concurrently by the IPOB in this regard.
“Both are using the cover of christianity – and calling for a US Special Envoy to be appointed to stop the ‘genocide’ of Christians in Nigeria.
“But the real purpose is to drive a wedge between the Nigerian government and its US and UK/European allies.
“IPOB leadership of course self-proclaims as ‘Jewish’, a position not shared by the generality of the members.
“For reasons of convenience, he [IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu] claims to have an interest in the welfare of Christians – but this is a ruse: the case for independence, the leader believes, is strengthened by ‘proving’ the government of Nigeria is ‘autocratic’, engaged in a ‘silent slaughter’ of their own citizens along religious and ethnic lines – and that, therefore, the only viable option for the unique religious and ethnic minority is a sovereign Biafra separate from Nigeria.
“Nigerians and the international community are advised to be wary of this divisive campaign, which available evidence shows is being funded with monthly spending of $85,000 since October 2019, with no records of the source of this largesse.”