IPOB Discrediting Nigeria Internationally, Says Presidency

The Presidency has accused the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of working to discredit the Nigerian government internationally.
The Presidency made this claim in a statement issued by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, on Sunday.
According to the presidential aide, the group is leading a campaign on ‘false allegations of persecution’ of Christians in the country.
The Presidency alleged that IPOB was running two interconnected campaigns, using the cover of Christianity and calling for the appointment of a United States special envoy to stop the ‘genocide’  of Christians in Nigeria.
The statement read: “A very deep and wide investigation by an agency of the Nigerian government, working with international partners, has made us become aware that there are 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 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.”
The Presidency alleged that the group began the campaigns in October 2019 which he said was being funded with monthly spending of $85,000.
It said it was unfortunate that some Christian leaders have connived with IPOB to deceive some members of the United States Congress into believing that there was indeed persecution of Christians in the country.
“The campaign consists of producing articles in the names of the alleged Christian NGOs’ leaders (of campaign groups created at the time this PR contract with a US lobbying firm was signed) and letters to and from members of Congress to the White House.
“Unfortunately, some Members of Congress have clearly been persuaded there is indeed a “Christian persecution” underway in Nigeria – and do so quoting the campaign – and they are known to be taking up the case directly with the White House to appoint the special envoy.
“The American charity secured a meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and has made presentations to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom.
“There is also a UK and European angle of the Campaign, which is more opaque than its US sister campaign – given there is less legal requirement for public filings – but what is known of this at the moment is that their Budget is sufficient to hire four PR firms in the UK, Belgium, France, and the US (the latter additional to the above).
“They have founded an “NGO/Charity” and a linked web-based campaign named “Stop the Silent Slaughter” which is well designed and complete with video “evidence”-completely concocted.”
The Presidency urged Nigerians and the international community to ignore the campaign by IPOB, noting that the group has been designated as a terrorist organisation by the Nigerian state.
It also said “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”.