The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) has retracted its earlier announcement of ranking the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as the 10th deadliest terror group in the world.

GTI report published annually by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), had ranked the Nnamdi Kanu-led IPOB as the 10th deadliest terror group in the world in 2022.

In a statement on its website on Monday, GTI referred to IPOB as a pro-Biafra secessionist movement and not a terrorist group.

The statement was titled: “Statement regarding Indigenous People of the Biafra (IPOB) and the Global Terrorism Index.”

READ ALSO: IPOB Ranked ‘10th Deadliest’ Terrorist, Group Protests

It read, “The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is a pro-Biafra secessionist movement based in Southeast Nigeria that aims to establish an independent state of Biafra.

“IPOB was proscribed as a terrorist group by the Nigerian government in 2017. In recent years, IPOB has been linked to several attacks, which have been attributed to its paramilitary wing, the Eastern Security Network (IPOB-ESN). The group has not claimed responsibility for any of these attacks.

“It is important therefore to differentiate between the peaceful activities of the group and its alleged involvement in violent activity.

“We have today updated the Global Terrorism Index 2023 to reflect this necessary clarification.

“Institute for Economics and Peace.”

READ ALSO: Biafra: Supreme Court Obstructing Nnamdi Kanu From Getting Justice – IPOB

Reacting to the latest report, Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor said different protests and criticisms by people for labelling IPOB as a terrorist group by Institute for Economics and Peace affected the change.

“The publications caused widespread stir and condemnation from many, including my humble self, whereby I had made a viral tweet stating that the ranking was “false,” Ejikamor said.

According to a statement he released, Kanu’s lawyer said, “Many other persons known to me, especially in America, including particularly the American Military Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID), which is blessed in America collaborated with me in formally protesting the alleged ranking to GTI branch office in New York, USA.

“What we sought was simply a clarification to the effect that there was no such ranking or that the GTI Report was misleading.”

The embattled National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Iyorchia Ayu, has described his purported suspension by executive members of his ward, Igyorov Ward of Gboko Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue state, as an exercise in futility.

Ayu, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Simon Imobo-Tswam, in Abuja on Monday, said he had not been suspended.

Ayu said his attention had been drawn to rumours that he had been suspended by the Executive Committee of his Ward.

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“We wish to state categorically and with all emphasis at our disposal thus, that “The PDP National Chairman, Ayu, has not been suspended by his Ward. Some members of the Exco are only being teleguided by political gamblers to cause mischief and nothing more.

“For starters, Article 57(7) of the PDP Constitution as Amended in 2017, expressly prohibits any organ of the party or executive committee of the party at the Ward or State Level from taking any disciplinary measure against any member of the party’s National Executive Committee.

“The purported suspension is, therefore, an exercise in futility as it derives its strength majorly from gross illiteracy, ignorance, gambling and desperation. It has only mischief, drama and propaganda value.”

Ayu alleged that the so-called suspension letter was written by an illiterate, and only given to the coerced members to sign somewhere in Makurdi.

“This is why the original date is tipexed and 24 March imposed on it.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: PDP Crisis Deepens, Nat’l Chair, Ayu Suspended With Immediate Effect

“From what we know, the document itself is fraudulent as the signatures of the Ward Executives were forged or obtained under duress.

“The chairman, his deputy and legal adviser didn’t sign the letter. The 14th person on the list didn’t sign too. “In fact, the same applies for Nos. 5, 8 and 16.

“At the time they were supposed to be in Makurdi, the others coerced, intimidated and induced members of the Exco, they were actually in their villages, going about their normal businesses.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission has decided that all outstanding governorship, National and State Assembly supplementary elections will take place on Saturday 15th April 2023.

This was made known by the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi on Monday.

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Oyekanmi said, “Arising from its meeting held today, the Independent National Electoral Commission has decided that all outstanding governorship, National and State Assembly supplementary elections will take place on Saturday 15th April 2023.

“A detailed official statement will follow shortly.”