IPOB Calls President Buhari’s Sins ‘Unpardonable,’ Slams His Apology To Nigerians

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) slammed President Muhammadu Buhari's apology, and said his sins were unpardonable.

The separatist group, whcih often makes headlines for demanding an independent state of Biafra, shared a statement Wednesday, reacting to Buhari's Eid al-Fitr speech.

"The attention of the global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra has been drawn to the statement credited to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), asking and demanding that Nigerians should forgive him while at the same time indicating his interest to relocate to the Niger Republic where he came from," IPOB's Director of Media and Publicity Emma Powerful said, Punch reported.

Powerful said that according to the IPOB group, President Buhari's "sins are unpardonable" and they don't care if he relocates to Mars or Jupiter instead of Niger Republic.

"He still won't be saved from his atrocities," the statement mentioned. "His crimes will find him out by the time he finishes relocating. IPOB will continue to expose him because we know that he is from Niger Republic."

IPOB's statement came a week after Buhari apologized to all Nigerians on Eid al-Fitr, and thanked everyone for "tolerating" him for almost eight years as a president.

He had also shared that his retirement plan consisted of going back to his hometown in Daura, Katsina. "I can't wait to go home to Daura. If they make any noise to disturb me in Daura, I will leave for the Niger Republic," he had said.

On Wednesday, Powerful questioned which of Buhari's sins and atrocities he wanted people to forgive. She also wondered if Buhari's request was genuine, and added, "As long as IPOB is concerned, the sins he masterminded and implemented are unforgivable."

"Which of the grievous sins does he want Nigerians to forgive him of?" Powerful said, and noted that Buhari and his managers believe Nigerians are fools.

"It's better he relocates his generation to Mars and Jupiter because Niger Republic will not be far enough from Nigeria or sufficient enough to protect him from IPOB's watchful eyes," the statement concluded. "His shenanigans will be uncovered at the right time."

During the Eid al-Fitr address, Buhari, who had come into power on May 29, 2015, had said, "Those that think that I have hurt them so much, please pardon me. ... I think this is a very good coincidence for me to say goodbye to you and thank you for tolerating me for more than seven and a half years."

"I honestly consider myself very lucky; I was made a governor, minister of petroleum, head of state in uniform, then after three attempts, God, through technology and PVC, I became president," he said at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, as per Punch. "I think God has given me an incredible opportunity to serve as your president. And I thank God for that."

"So, please, whoever feels I have done wrong to them, we are all humans," he said. "There is no doubt I hurt some people and I wish you will pardon me. And those that think that I have hurt them so much, please pardon me."

The relationship between IPOB and Bihari has been filled with conflict. While IPOB demands a separate state, Buhari has been against their agenda. In fact, Buhari also suggested Nigeria's international partners declare the IPOB group as a terrorist organization last year.