RE-IPOB names new leader, list eminent personalities to negotiate with Federal Government of Nigeria

Nigeria: The leadership of the newly formed pro-Biafra group, ''The Reformed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB'', has appointed a new leader for the group and also named eminent personalities who are expected to dialogue with the Federal Government of Nigeria on it's behalf over the agitation for an independent state of Biafra.

In a statement signed by the group's National Director of Publicity, Ikemba Biafra, it described the new leader, Mr. Jonathan Kurubo who hails from Bayelsa state as a true son of Biafra who believes in the cause and dignity of the marginalized people of the old Eastern region.

The statement said that Kurubo is a graduate from an international Universities with versatile knowledge of International relations, peace and conflict resolution as well as strategic studies.

It said Kurubo will pilot the affairs of the RE-IPOB until Biafra is actualized or the Nigerian government demonstrates its sincerity to fully re-integrate the people of Biafran through negotiations.

The statement called on the people of Biafra living in the old Eastern region and in Diaspora, to support the new leader.

The group unveiled a list of eminent personalities and elders of Biafra who are expected to lead its negotiation team with the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The negotiation team includes; Dr Arthur Nwankwo, Dr kenneth Opigo, Dr. Okey Emordi, Barr. Uche Okwukwu, Obong Victor Attah, Prof Nwankwo Nwaezeigwe, Chief Bassey Akpan, Prof Mrs Uche Azikiwe, Prof Wole Soyinka, Uchenna Madu, Prof Jerry Gana, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, representative of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council, representative of Umuada Igbo, and Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma who is expected to lead the delegation.

“We warn that RE-IPOB is not negotiating out of fear. Our position is not out of cowardice, we want peace.

Butthe federal government should return our goodwill and readiness for talks with honesty and sincerity. Nnamdi Kanu should henceforth desist from issuing any statement on behalf of Biafra in his own interest,” the statement read.

The group also warned security agents to stop molesting or killing its members as it has set up a security arm, the Ogbunigwe, to protect the Biafra people.