The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government over the delayed hearing of its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu’s appeal, warning that failure to act could trigger an election boycott in the South-East and other areas it refers to as Biafraland.
In a statement released on Tuesday, IPOB spokesman Emma Powerful said the ultimatum followed concerns from Kanu’s family about the delay in listing and hearing his appeal against his conviction and life sentence.
Powerful said Kanu had separately written to the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the President of the Court of Appeal, seeking urgent action on his pending cases. IPOB alleges that while the government moved quickly to prosecute Kanu, it has not shown the same urgency in responding to the appeal.
The group said the Federal Government had neither filed its respondent’s brief nor listed the appeal for hearing. It also questioned the legal basis for Kanu’s conviction and continued detention, demanding clarity on the specific offence for which he remains incarcerated.
IPOB further challenged the Supreme Court’s decision that overturned Kanu’s discharge and acquittal by the Court of Appeal. The group maintains that the apex court exceeded its constitutional powers by making pronouncements on individual counts which it says had already been quashed by the appellate court.
Beyond the legal dispute, IPOB is now linking the matter to political participation, warning that it may mobilise supporters to stay away from the 2027 general election if the appeal is not listed and heard within the 14-day period. The group argues that continued participation in an electoral system it believes has failed to deliver justice would serve little purpose.
IPOB says the proposed boycott is intended to demonstrate what it describes as a loss of confidence in the system, rather than to support electoral malpractice. The Federal Government has yet to respond publicly to the ultimatum or the allegations concerning the status of Kanu’s appeal.
