The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) primarily seeks a referendum to achieve an independent state of Biafra in southeastern Nigeria. This movement advocates for the rights and self-determination of the Igbo people and other ethnic groups in the region. IPOB emphasizes peaceful protest and civil disobedience as its core strategies. The movement emphasized that the Nigerian government has marginalized the southeastern region and that a separate state is necessary to achieve economic development and protect the cultural identity of its people.
In pushing for a referendum, IPOB aims to achieve its goals through legal and democratic processes. However, the Nigerian government views the secessionist agenda with caution and, at times, has responded with significant security measures. This has led to tensions and confrontations, although IPOB continues to assert its commitment to peaceful methods.
IPOB's call for a referendum is part of a broader dialogue about self-determination, autonomy, and the rights of ethnic groups within larger national frameworks. Discussions often also address the practicalities of such a separation, the economic viability of a potential new nation, and the international implications of secession in today's globalized world.