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IPOB Rebuts Orji Uzor Kalu, “Liar, Nnamdi Kanu Didn’t Cause Death of 30,000 People In South East’
The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has dismissed claims by the former Abia State governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, that the activism of pro-Biafra agitator, Nnamdi Kanu led to the death of 30,000 individuals in the Southeast.
IPOB described Orji Uzor Kalu as a liar and a distracted individual for making such a remark.
Emma Powerful, the spokesman of the group, said the declaration arose from a malevolent spirit and a person who has chosen to barter his kin for selfish political gain.
A statement by Powerful said Kanu evidence has shown that Kanu has consistently been targets of military aggression, violence, and killings backed by the State.
The statement reads partly: “The worldwide family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) denounce the irresponsible and false claim from Senator Orji Uzor that 30,000 individuals lost their lives due to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s activism in the South East Region.
“IPOB is extremely upset and enraged by Orji Uzor’s false statements, as his assertions are entirely fabricated and part of a deliberate campaign to undermine IPOB and MNK.
“The insecurity, fatalities and devastation that occurred in the East were orchestrated by the Nigerian Government and certain Eastern Politicians to blackmail IPOB and ESN.
“The IPOB struggle has remained non-violent despite the Nigerian Government employing infamous Security Forces to arrest, torture, forcibly disappear, and carry out extrajudicial killings of numerous IPOB members.
“The evidence shows that IPOB and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu have consistently been targets of military aggression, violence, and killings backed by the State.
“The Nigerian Government and its corrupt politicians like Orji Uzor are as malicious as they come, accountable for all the insecurity, unidentified gunmen in the East, and the terrorists throughout the nation. IPOB has demanded impartial investigations into the violence and deaths occurring in the South East since 2015.
“Unfortunately, to this day, the disgraced Government and its infamous politicians have yet to permit an independent investigation.
“They are aware of the murderers. Just as the Northern elites are involved in the terrorist activities in the North, certain Eastern politicians, especially those in the APC Party, are complicit in the insecurity affecting the South East.
“It is regrettable that Orji Uzor Kalu was one of those who colluded with Tinubu’s Government to confine Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in isolation in Sokoto prison, allowing them to disseminate falsehoods about him and the IPOB he leads.
“It is clear to all and sundry that Dr. Orji Uzoh Kalu employed the feared Bakassi boys and slaughtered over 100,000 Igbo youths extrajudicially in Abia State and the South East Region while he was governor of Abia State.
“During Uzor Kalu’s tenure as Governor of Abia State for eight years remains an economic and security burden to this day.”
Breaking News
Ogun State Government Announces Pension, Gratuity Backlog Clearance Between 2012 and 2020
The Ogun State Government has announced the clearance of pension and gratuity arrears owed to workers who retired between 2012 and 2020, reaffirming its commitment to the welfare of retirees.
The Economic Adviser and Commissioner for Finance, Dapo Okubadejo, disclosed this on Tuesday during a media parley organised by the Ogun State Ministry of Budget and Planning.
Okubadejo explained that the backlog was linked to the Defined Benefits Scheme, under which retirees receive monthly pension payments, stressing that the present administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun has not defaulted on pension obligations since assuming office.
“Since the inception of this administration, we have not missed a single month of pension payment. What we inherited were arrears tied to the Defined Benefits Scheme,” he said.
According to him, annual pension payments rose from ₦6.7 billion in 2019 to ₦20 billion in 2025, with projections showing a possible increase to ₦40 billion by 2029.
He disclosed that the state had so far paid ₦23.3 billion in gratuities covering retirees from 2012 to 2020, alongside ₦32.8 billion in outstanding gratuities for local government retirees inherited by the administration.
Okubadejo added that between 2019 and July 2, 2025, the state disbursed ₦93.26 billion in pensions under the Defined Benefits Scheme and ₦94.78 billion to local government pensioners.
He assured that the remaining backlog would be cleared as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) continues to improve, noting that over 300 workers who retired in July 2025 are currently receiving six-month palliatives pending the completion of their pension documentation.
The commissioner also described the newly approved Additional Pension Benefits (APB) as the first of its kind in Nigeria, adding that amendments to the state’s pension law would be pursued to formally integrate the scheme.
On the state’s fiscal outlook, Okubadejo revealed that the 2026 budget increased from ₦1.054 trillion in 2025 to ₦1.668 trillion, while Ogun’s economy expanded from ₦3.5 trillion in 2019 to ₦18.96 trillion in 2026.
He added that IGR grew from ₦50 billion in 2019 to ₦240 billion in 2025, with projections of ₦512 billion this year.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Olaolu Olabimtan, said the 2026 budget reflects strong fiscal reforms, noting an 85 per cent budget execution rate in 2024 and sustained financial stability.
Other commissioners highlighted sectoral achievements, including massive road construction, increased healthcare funding, rail extension plans, education support programmes, and expanded housing projects across the state.
African Democratic Congress, ADC, chieftain, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to focus on the country’s future and vote for a change in leadership.
Obi spoke at a meeting with Hausa/Fulani chiefs in Abuja on Wednesday.
“We have to talk about the future of our country. All of you know what is happening to our country today. That’s why we are campaigning that you vote out this government,” he said.
He described the situation in Nigeria as dire, citing insecurity, hunger and hardship.
“today we have insecurity across Nigeria. We have hunger across Nigeria. We are suffering across Nigeria. The only thing that is working in Nigeria today is bad news. Every morning you wake up is bad news,” Obi stated.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate said a new administration would prioritize social services.
“We’re urging you to vote for a change and bring a new Nigeria, where our children will be in school. Our hospitals will work,” he added.
Obi also questioned government spending priorities, particularly in the health sector.
“today, if you’re sick in Nigeria you’re praying to Almighty God because we’re now in a country where our president spends 360 billion to buy and refit his plane and spends 36 million in capital vote for the Ministry of Health. There’s nothing working,” he said.
He appealed to Nigerians to use their votes to usher in what he described as a “new Nigeria” focused on improving citizens’ welfare and restoring key public services.
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