IPOB Disowns Simon Ekpa, Clarifies Its Stance on Peaceful Agitation
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has officially disassociated itself from Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Government in Exile (BGIE), in a strongly worded press release issued on November 22, 2024. IPOB reiterated that Ekpa is not, and has never been, a member of its globally recognized peaceful movement led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
This statement comes amidst recent reports, including from the BBC, that erroneously linked Simon Ekpa to IPOB. The group emphasized that Ekpa has no association with its family units worldwide, including in Finland, where he resides. IPOB firmly maintains its commitment to non-violent advocacy for Biafra’s independence through a United Nations-supervised referendum.
Simon Ekpa: A Contrasting Approach
IPOB accused Simon Ekpa and his faction of pursuing a violent agenda under the guise of Biafra agitation. The group claimed Ekpa has recruited and funded a criminal gang, the so-called Biafra Liberation Army, which has been involved in kidnappings, rapes, killings, and destruction of property in the South-East region of Nigeria.
According to IPOB, Ekpa’s activities aim to destabilize the region and tarnish the image of the legitimate and peaceful Biafra self-determination movement. The organization accused the Nigerian government and politicians of using Ekpa to undermine IPOB through blackmail and misinformation campaigns.
Call for Clarity and Action
In its release, IPOB urged international bodies, particularly the Finnish authorities and media outlets like the BBC, to refrain from associating Simon Ekpa with its movement. It underscored that IPOB does not condone or support violence, contrary to the tactics employed by Ekpa and his group.
Furthermore, IPOB criticized the Nigerian and Finnish governments for allegedly shielding Ekpa from accountability for his actions. It called for justice while reiterating its commitment to civil disobedience as its primary tool for achieving Biafra’s independence.
Focus on Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s Release
The group called on its members and supporters to remain focused on its core objectives: the release of its detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and the restoration of Biafra through peaceful means. It warned against any attempt to link IPOB to the violence allegedly orchestrated by Simon Ekpa’s faction.
The statement, signed by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, concluded with an assurance that IPOB remains steadfast in its peaceful approach, despite provocations and the challenges it faces in its self-determination struggle.
See press release:
IPOB PRESS RELEASE
22/11/2024
SIMON EKPA IS NOT AN IPOB MEMBER AND MUST NOT BE ASSOCIATED WITH IPOB
The attention of the global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has been drawn to the purported arrest and claim of being an IPOB member by the infamous Prime Minister of Biafra Government in Exile (BRGIE) named Simon Ekpa. For public records, Simon Ekpa has never been a member of IPOB led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently being detained illegally in the DSS solitary confinement by the Nigerian Government since almost four years.
Contrary to the disinformation from the BBC News report that Simon Ekpa is an IPOB leader. Simon Ekpa is not an IPOB member, let alone be a leader in IPOB. IPOB has some family units in Finland, and Simon Ekpa is not a registered member of any IPOB unit in Finland or any unit globally. Mazi Nnamdi Okwu Kanu established IPOB as a peaceful movement to seek Biafra Independence via a supervised UN referendum.
IPOB is a peaceful global movement that has never taken to violence or arms struggle in two decades of our self-determination struggle. Even though the various murderous government regimes in Nigeria have provoked us. We have remained resolute and peaceful.
On the other hand, Simon Ekpa was seen by some innocent Biafrans as someone sympathetic to the Biafra course. Until they discovered that he was a destructive agent paid to infiltrate and destroy the IPOB peaceful movement for Biafra self-determination. He recruited violent criminals to destabilize the South East Region in 2021. He is a self acclaimed prime minister of a small group called Biafra Government in Exile (BGIE).
The infamous BGIE led by Simon Ekpa created a violent group that call themselves the Biafra Liberation Army. They have perpetuated various violent acts against the civilians in the Eastern Region in the name of Biafra agitation. IPOB family worldwide refused to accept that system to achieve Biafra freedom and sovereignty. His group and the Nigerian Army are responsible for many kidnappings, rapes, forceful disappearances, killings, and burning of homes in the South Eastern region. Undoubtedly, Simon Ekpa has claimed responsibility for the violent actions of his criminal gang.
The Simon Ekpa led group has no alliance or relationship with IPOB and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. He recruited his criminals who have been terrorizing the Biafran territory since 2021 after the kidnapp, extraordinary rendition, and illegal detaintion of the IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria.
The Nigerian government and politicians whom Biafrans believe contracted Simon Ekpa has been tagging his group’s violent and terrorist activities on IPOB just to blackmail and demonize the genuine and peaceful Biafra self-determination struggle led by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
IPOB is by this press release calling on BBC News and Finnish Authorities to note that Simon Ekpa has no relationship with IPOB in Finland or any other unit globally. He should not be associated with IPOB because IPOB does not support violent agitation that he represents.
IPOB led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a peaceful movement that has adopted civil disobedience to press our demand for Biafra’s self-determination and referendum. Unlike Simon Ekpa, who recruits and funds criminals who carry out killings of civilians and government agents, destroyed many homes in Biafra territory. Therefore, no person or institution should link Simon Ekpa and his group to IPOB. We do not have any relationship whatsoever.
Simon Ekpa has been shielded from arrest and terrorism charges against innocent Biafran civilians by the Nigerian and the Finnish governments’ diplomatic maneuvering. However, for every crime, there is a day of reckoning. On the purported arrest of Simon Ekpa, all IPOB members, Biafrans and lovers of Biafra freedom should remain calm and focus on the ball which is the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from the illegal detention and the Biafra restoration project.
IPOB does not do violent agitation or violence against civilians. IPOB does not do violent agitation or violence against the Nigerian Security Forces or the sponsored infiltrator criminals represented by Simon Ekpa.
COMRADE EMMA POWERFUL, MEDIA, AND PUBLICITY SECRETARY FOR IPOB