The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has issued a statement responding to recent revelations by former presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, regarding the infamous 'Presidential Villa rat invasion' narrative that circulated during former President Muhammadu Buhari's extended medical leave in 2017.
In a statement released on Saturday, IPOB spokesperson, Comrade Emma Powerful, claimed that Shehu's recent admission validates long-standing assertions made by the group's leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, concerning the lack of transparency in government communications during that period.
Garba Shehu reportedly acknowledged in his book that the widely circulated story about rats infesting the President's office during Buhari's absence in 2017 was fabricated as a cover for the President's medical treatment abroad.
Reacting to this disclosure, IPOB stated that it aligns with concerns previously raised by Kanu regarding government transparency and accountability during Buhari's time away from office.
"This development supports our earlier calls for more openness about the health and availability of those in leadership. Our leader had expressed concern about these issues, and now some of those concerns appear to be acknowledged, even if belatedly," the IPOB statement read.
The group used the opportunity to reiterate its position on the need for responsible leadership and citizens' right to question their government. While criticizing the initial handling of Buhari's medical leave and the explanations provided to the public, IPOB urged Nigerians to reflect on the importance of transparency, public trust, and access to accurate information in a democratic society.
The statement further called on the international community to encourage good governance and support efforts to uphold truth and justice across the African continent.
This development comes amid ongoing discussions about government transparency and the public's right to information regarding the health status of elected officials.
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