The Igbo Biafra Nationalists (IBN) have strongly criticised the Nigerian House of Representatives for its recent call to investigate Amaka Patience Sunnberger, a Nigerian-Canadian resident, over alleged hate speech against the Yoruba and Benin communities.
The IBN’s convener, Uche Mefor, expressed the group’s disapproval during a press briefing in Owerri, Imo State, condemning the House’s actions as hypocritical.
The controversy surrounds Amaka Sunnberger, who is currently under investigation by Canadian authorities for making alleged death threats and inflammatory remarks towards the Yoruba and Edo people.
While IBN acknowledged the problematic nature of hate speech, they argued that Amaka’s statements must be viewed within the context of self-defence, arising from what they claim is the Nigerian government’s failure to address hate speech and ethnic discrimination against the Igbo people.
Uche Mefor, speaking on behalf of IBN, stated, “The recent call by the Nigerian House of Representatives to investigate Amaka Patience Sunnberger, currently under scrutiny by Canadian authorities for alleged death threats and poisoning remarks directed at Yoruba and Edo communities, is both hypocritical and deceptive.
“While her actions may be deemed ill-advised, they must be understood as a last resort in self-defence, prompted by the Nigerian government’s deliberate failure to prosecute past offenders of hate speech and ethnic slurs against the Igbo people.”
The IBN supports the ongoing investigation by Canadian authorities, believing that it will expose what they describe as the Nigerian state’s hypocrisy in dealing with ethnic issues.
They argue that Amaka’s actions were a reaction to systemic discrimination and hostility towards the Igbo community, both within Nigeria and in the diaspora.
Despite condemning hate speech, IBN emphasised that the Nigerian government has failed to address the hate speech and systemic discrimination faced by the Igbo community.
Mefor highlighted instances where prominent Nigerian figures, including the wife of the current president, have allegedly supported ethnic hostility against the Igbo people.
He expressed frustration that the government’s inaction has left the Igbo community vulnerable, both economically and politically.
In response to the House of Representatives’ actions, the IBN called on the Igbo community in Canada to defend Amaka Sunnberger’s right to protect herself and other Igbos against what they see as a discriminatory campaign by the Nigerian government.
The group urged individuals and organizations to stand in solidarity with Sunnberger as she faces legal scrutiny in Canada.
“The House of Representatives’ call for Amaka’s prosecution or investigation reeks of hypocrisy and deceit, especially considering their failure to take any meaningful action against figures who have either engaged in or endorsed hate speech and threats against Igbo lives,” Mefor added.
