The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has renewed its call for a total boycott of the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the Federal Government of frustrating judicial scrutiny of the conviction of its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, through the alleged failure to list his appeal for hearing.
The group, in a statement issued yesterday by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, declared what it described as an immediate, total and permanent political boycott of the ruling party, insisting that it would not support a government it accused of obstructing Kanu’s pursuit of justice.
The declaration came less than 24 hours after IPOB issued a similar statement on Sunday, October 25, reaffirming its position under the slogan, “No listing, no participation.”
IPOB alleged that the Federal Government had moved swiftly to secure Kanu’s conviction on November 20, 2025, under a repealed statute but had failed to ensure that his appeal was listed at the Court of Appeal.
It further alleged that the government had not filed its respondent’s brief, a development it claimed was delaying the determination of the case.
According to the group, Kanu’s appeal raises fundamental constitutional questions under Section 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution, which prohibits conviction for an offence unless that offence and its penalty are defined in a written law.
IPOB maintained that the appellate court should be allowed to examine the legality of the conviction and determine the issues raised by its leader.
The group also expressed concern over reports that the case file relating to Kanu’s alleged 14-month detention without trial had gone missing at the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
It recalled that the detention followed his discharge by the Court of Appeal on October 13, 2022, alleging that the reported disappearance of the file was frustrating efforts to enforce his fundamental rights.
IPOB further condemned what it described as continuing military operations, mass arrests and detention of persons it identified as Biafrans at Wawa Barracks and Tiger Base.
It accused the authorities of applying different security standards across regions, alleging that armed groups elsewhere were being treated with greater tolerance.
The organisation also criticised the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, over his alleged role in the September 2017 proscription of IPOB by the South-East Governors’ Forum.
It claimed that the action was politically motivated and contributed to subsequent military operations and casualties in the region.
The group cited an October 26, 2023, judgment of the Enugu State High Court, which it said declared the governors’ proscription unconstitutional.
IPOB also warned South-East politicians aligned with the APC against what it described as the dangers of political expediency, citing former Imo State governor Rochas Okorocha and warning Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo and other political leaders against a similar experience.
The group directed its supporters to withdraw voluntary political support from the APC, boycott its rallies and refrain from displaying its insignia.
It, however, stressed that the boycott must remain non-violent and that nobody should be threatened, harassed or attacked on account of political affiliation.
IPOB demanded Kanu’s immediate and unconditional release, the listing of his appeal and the restoration of the reportedly missing court file.
“Let the law speak,” the group declared.
The allegations concerning the appeal, missing court file, detention conditions and political motivations were not independently verified. The APC and Federal Government had not responded to the claims at the time of filing.