The desire of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, to continue its quest for the realization of the State of Biafra, prompting the UK to consider giving the members political asylum has pitched the Federal government against the United Kingdom (UK).
Against the backdrop of the persecution of IPOB members and humiliation of pro Biafrans by the Nigerian government, the UK opted to offer political asylum to pro Biafrans, especially IPOB members running away from the country.
Aggrieved by the position of UK, the Nigerian government has shown resentment to the idea stating that its disrespectful and a sabotage to the country.
The UK visas and immigration (UKVI) had released two guides to its decision on how to consider and grant asylum by members of the Biafran secessionist groups.
In counter reaction, the Federal Government argued that the reported decision of the United Kingdom to grant asylum to “persecuted” members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is disrespectful of Nigeria as a nation.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed who spoke on behalf of the federal government also said that the decision amounted to sabotaging the fight against terrorism and generally undermining Nigeria’s security.
Fielding questions at a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) flagship interview programe, NAN Forum, on Tuesday in Abuja, Mohammed said the decision is unacceptable to Nigeria.
“Let me say straightaway that this issue is within the purview of the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs and I am sure he will handle it appropriately.
“But as the spokesman for the Federal Government of Nigeria, I will say that if indeed the report that the UK will grant asylum to supposedly persecuted IPOB and MASSOB members is true, then something is wrong somewhere.
“Against the background of the fact that IPOB is not only proscribed but also designated as a terrorist organization here in Nigeria, the UK’s decision is disrespectful of Nigeria as a nation.
“The decision amounts to sabotaging the fight against terrorism and generally undermining Nigeria’s security. It is not only unconscionable, it is inexplicable,’’ he said.
The minister said that there had recently been heightened attacks against security agencies in the South East Zone.
He said IPOB had been fingered as being behind the attacks inspite of its denials.
“For the UK to choose this time to give succour to IPOB beggars belief and calls to question the UK’s real intention.
“If we could go down the memory lane, what the UK has done is like Nigeria offering asylum to members of the IRA before the 1998 Good Friday Peace Agreement,’’ he said.
