The BRAC Coastal Aborigines have accused the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) diaspora and their alleged allies of fuelling ethnic and religious tensions capable of destabilising Nigeria.
The group, representing Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, said grievances over poor leadership must not be used to portray Nigeria as a “cursed state” or promote divisive narratives that could ignite another civil conflict.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, BRAC warned against what it described as coordinated campaigns aimed at discrediting Muslim leadership and creating new fault lines along ethnic and religious lines.
“Bad leadership should not justify tarnishing the image of our country,” the group said, urging Nigerians committed to peace and unity to condemn hate speech and religious incitement.
BRAC alleged that some political interests were sponsoring inflammatory rhetoric, warning that unchecked ethnic and religious propaganda could worsen existing tensions and have grave national consequences.
While recalling historical grievances, the group said the BRAC states, despite their proximity to the South-East, had no intention of aligning with any agitation for a Biafra republic or presidential ambitions linked to such movements.
It cited the 1966 rebellion led by late Niger Delta activist, Major Isaac Adaka Boro, and the rejection of the Calabar-Ogoja-Rivers agitation as evidence of longstanding political differences with the South-East.
The group also expressed concern over what it described as renewed conflict signals ahead of the 2027 general elections, alleging clandestine efforts to inflame religious sentiments and draw foreign actors into Nigeria’s internal politics.
BRAC further claimed that broadcasts linked to IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, had contributed to rising insecurity by targeting revered leaders, thereby deepening mistrust and provoking retaliatory attacks.
The group called on Nigerians to embrace tolerance, respect ethnic and religious diversity, and prioritise peaceful coexistence, stressing that “2027 is not the end of the world” and warning politicians against exploiting religion for political gain.
