Kanu pays N300M to PR firm to lobby US for Biafra
By Kelechi Abiodun, Onitsha
The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, (IPOB) have paid a whopping N300m to a foreign lobby group. The aim is to sink the concept of Biafra into the sub consciousness of Americans especially people in strategic policy decision areas.
The deal is aimed at promoting the Igbo quest for self determination. One source said the deal may, on the long run affect the sales of military weapons to Nigeria if the Congress is convinced that the weapons were for repression of Igbo in Nigeria.
Under the new plan, Irohinoodua heard that certain United States lawmakers will be contacted to help promote Igbo secession in the US Senate and the country’s lower house.
“The deal is to lobby US lawmakers. They will get adequate information on the killings and persecution of Igbo people in Nigeria. This will help the US in formulating policies that affect Nigeria in the context of Igbo search for sovereignty” a Western diplomat told our correspondent on phone.
A top IPOB official has confirmed to Irohinoodua that IPOB was hiring American lobbyist to help promote the Igbo agenda in the United States.
The lobby group is BW Global Group (BWGG LLC) owned by Jeffrey Birrel and Alan White.
The PR company is registered in the US with its headquarters in Washington DC.
The money will be used to promote the work of IPOB to counter the ‘propaganda of the Nigerian Government” a source said. The source said the company will promote the work of IPOB in the US media and hold special sessions with US lawmakers and business tycoons.
The company’s prime target is to work towards a situation where the US will invite Kanu to address the US congress. The lobby group is expected to create a window of opportunity for IPOB in the US Presidency” another top IPOB official who prefers anonymity said.
The services Nnamdi Kanu wants
The terms of the successive contracts with a strict focus on the U.S appear to be part of Mr Kanu’s quiet but broad efforts to win the support of the U.S. government, Congress, policymakers, and opinion leaders for IPOB.
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