Nigerian State.
The Presidency said IPOB is using “false allegations of persecution of
Christians” against the Nigerian State to drive a wedge between the
country and the United States, United Kingdom and European allies,
according to a statement signed by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant
on Media and Publicity to President Mohammadu Buhari.
The Statement reads:
“The Presidency wishes to draw the attention of all citizens and the
international community to a most misleading campaign spearheaded by the
so-called Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) using false allegations of
persecution of Christians against the Nigerian State.
“A very deep and wide investigation by an agency of the Nigerian
government, working with international partners have 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 Nigeria 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 religion 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 a monthly spending of $85,000 USD since October 2019, with no
records of the source of this largesse.
“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.
“Members of the alleged Christian NGO have had multiple Op-Ed articles
in conservative news websites promulgating their message of a “Christian
Genocide”. Some of those articles have also been used as “evidence” in
the sister US campaign.
“Two of those conservative news websites were co-founded by the owner of
the UK PR firm they have hired to generate their publicity as well as an
OP-Ed article in the name of a British MP who may have been convinced by
their campaign under false pretences.
“They have secured additional coverage in France, EU and Germany.
“They secured a MPs debate on the “Christian Genocide” in the House of
Commons in which staff member of the UK PR was referenced as the
“private secretary” to the leader of the UK-based Charity.
“It is clear from all of the above that the IPOB’s extraordinarily and
dubiously well-funded campaign in the US and UK/Europe is misusing the
issue of the welfare of Christians purely to further their own political
ends, and it seeks to damage inter-religious dialogue in Nigeria as well
as to damage the international reputation of Nigeria.
“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.”