By Divine Sam

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced an immediate boycott of the All Progressives Congress (APC), directing its members to shun the ruling party over the delay in the hearing of an appeal challenging the conviction of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

The decision was announced on Sunday by the Head of IPOB’s Directorate of State (DOS), Mazi Chris Nwaogu, who said the move marked the beginning of the group’s phased political disengagement ahead of the 2027 general election.

IPOB had previously threatened to boycott the 2027 elections in the South-East if Kanu’s appeal was not listed for hearing. Nwaogu, however, said the organisation’s immediate action would specifically target the APC.

Declaring that IPOB would maintain a policy of strategic non-partisanship, Nwaogu said the boycott was a response to what the group described as injustice and the continued detention of its leader.

“Our boycott is not a gift to any Nigerian political actor; it is an unyielding response to systemic injustice and state-sponsored illegality,” he said.

He directed Biafrans to stop attending APC rallies, carrying the party’s flags or publicly defending APC governors, alleging that the party’s policies and actions had harmed communities in the South-East.

Nwaogu also criticised the Federal Government over its handling of Kanu’s legal matters, insisting that the immediate and unconditional release of the IPOB leader remained the organisation’s primary objective.

“The primary focus of this Directorate remains absolute and unshakeable: the immediate, unconditional release of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the full restoration of Biafra. Every other matter is secondary,” he said.

The IPOB official accused the government of undermining the judicial process in an alleged attempt to prolong Kanu’s detention. He cited two separate cases: a fundamental rights suit at the Federal Capital Territory High Court and an appeal challenging Kanu’s conviction.

According to Nwaogu, the judge handling the fundamental rights case had informed the court that the file was missing when the matter came up for hearing approximately two weeks earlier.

He also alleged that the Court of Appeal had failed to list Kanu’s appeal for hearing despite the compilation and transmission of the record of appeal.

Nwaogu maintained that the government had failed to justify Kanu’s conviction, calling on the relevant judicial authorities to list the appeal and hear it publicly.

In another part of his address, the IPOB leader rejected reports suggesting that the organisation had ordered a resumption of the weekly Monday sit-at-home across the South-East.

He described an audio message circulating online that purportedly announced the return of the enforced sit-at-home as false, accusing unnamed political actors of attempting to create panic and insecurity in the region.

“No enforced sit-at-home has been ordered or sanctioned by this IPOB Directorate of State, DOS, or the High Command of the Eastern Security Network, ESN,” he said.

Nwaogu warned that individuals or groups attempting to enforce an unauthorised sit-at-home would face consequences, adding that IPOB’s stated objective was to maintain peace and security in the region.

The DOS head also criticised what he described as political compromises by some Igbo leaders who associate with the APC. He referenced Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Minister of Works David Umahi and Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo while accusing the ruling party of disrespecting some of its Igbo allies.

He further alleged that former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha had been politically marginalised after joining the APC, warning that other political figures could experience similar treatment.

Meanwhile, Nwaogu disclosed that IPOB’s legal team had identified 68 people whom the group described as innocent Biafrans and alleged had been transferred from Wawa Barracks to correctional facilities in Kuje, Keffi and Suleja.

“Our lawyers are working tirelessly to secure their freedom,” he said.

IPOB’s announcement adds another dimension to the political tensions surrounding Kanu’s ongoing legal battles and the group’s position on the 2027 general election. The allegations made by Nwaogu were presented as IPOB’s claims in his address.