By Steve Oko
UMUAHIA — The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has claimed that recent remarks attributed to Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir on Nigeria’s religious identity have vindicated concerns previously raised by its detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, over religious freedom and equality in the country.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, the group said the reported declaration that Nigeria is a Muslim country and that Christians are “infidels” raised concerns about the country’s constitutional commitment to religious equality.
IPOB argued that such comments should not be dismissed as mere rhetoric, stressing that Nigeria operates a constitutional system in which citizens are entitled to equal rights regardless of religious affiliation.
The group said the remarks had given fresh relevance to what it described as Kanu’s longstanding warnings about alleged attempts to alter Nigeria’s religious and political character.
