The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused the Nigerian government of hypocrisy and ethnic bias after Bashir El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, openly declared that he does not believe in “One Nigeria” — a position similar to that of detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
In a statement signed by IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, the group said El-Rufai’s remarks highlight the “monumental double standard” that exists in Nigeria’s handling of dissenting voices.
“Ordinarily, IPOB would not waste time on the comments of those who think they own Nigeria. But El-Rufai’s son’s rejection of ‘One Nigeria’ clearly exposes the hypocrisy and selective justice that define the Nigerian state,” the statement read.
IPOB drew sharp contrasts between the treatment of its leader and that of El-Rufai’s son.
“When Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, a proud Biafran, called for regional autonomy, he was kidnapped from Kenya, tortured, and illegally renditioned to Nigeria, where he has remained in DSS detention facing trumped-up terrorism charges,” IPOB said.
“But today, the son of one of those who engineered Nigeria’s current crisis can declare that ‘One Nigeria’ is a lie without fear of arrest or prosecution. This is one law for the Fulani and another for the Igbo,” the group added.
The pro-Biafra movement also revisited Nigeria’s pre-civil war history, noting that the era of regional autonomy (1955–1966) brought unprecedented economic progress across all regions.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is only asking for justice, fairness, and a return to economic dignity. Yet he is persecuted while El-Rufai’s son is celebrated,” IPOB argued.
The group further criticized the judiciary, accusing the Supreme Court of overturning Kanu’s discharge by the Court of Appeal for political reasons.
“Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba of the Supreme Court shamefully set aside an unimpeachable judgment, not for justice but because Kanu is Igbo. This is tribal prejudice dressed up as law,” IPOB alleged.
Concluding its statement, IPOB insisted that the contrasting treatment of Kanu and El-Rufai’s son proves Nigeria is “beyond redemption.”
“If Nigeria were just, the DSS would have arrested and prosecuted El-Rufai’s son by now. Instead, he is free while Mazi Nnamdi Kanu remains in solitary confinement. This proves that Nigeria is built on selective persecution,” Emma Powerful said.
