The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has distanced itself from Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Government in Exile (BGIE). This comes in the wake of Ekpa’s recent arrest in Finland on charges of alleged terrorism.
In a statement issued on Friday, IPOB emphasized that Ekpa is not a member of their organization.
The full statement reads:
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 IPOB movement has been drawn to the arrest of Simon Ekpa, who claims to be a member of IPOB. For clarity, Simon Ekpa has never been a part of the IPOB led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who has been unlawfully detained in solitary confinement by the Nigerian government for nearly four years.
Contrary to reports by BBC News, which suggested that Ekpa is an IPOB leader, he is not a member of IPOB, nor has he ever held any leadership role within the organization. IPOB has family units in Finland, but Simon Ekpa is not a registered member of any of these units, either in Finland or globally. IPOB, under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, was founded as a peaceful movement advocating for Biafra’s independence through a UN-supervised referendum.
For over two decades, IPOB has maintained a commitment to peaceful resistance in its pursuit of self-determination, despite the numerous provocations by the Nigerian government.
Simon Ekpa, however, initially gained some sympathy among Biafrans, but it soon became clear that he was an agent working to undermine IPOB’s peaceful movement. In 2021, he began recruiting violent elements to destabilize the southeastern region. He is the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the BGIE, which has been linked to the creation of the Biafra Liberation Army, a group responsible for various violent acts, including killings and attacks on civilians in the region, all under the guise of Biafra agitation. IPOB worldwide has consistently rejected violence as a means to achieve Biafra’s sovereignty.
Ekpa’s group, supported by the Nigerian military, has been implicated in a number of crimes, including kidnappings, rapes, forced disappearances, and the destruction of property in southeastern Nigeria. Simon Ekpa himself has taken responsibility for many of these actions.
It is important to note that Simon Ekpa and his group have no affiliation with IPOB or its leadership. He has no connection to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu or any recognized IPOB unit globally. The Nigerian government, along with certain politicians, has used Ekpa’s violent activities to falsely associate IPOB with terrorism and undermine the legitimate Biafra self-determination struggle.
In light of these developments, IPOB calls on BBC News and the Finnish authorities to clarify that Simon Ekpa is not connected to IPOB in any way. IPOB has never supported violent methods of agitation, and Ekpa’s actions are in stark contrast to the peaceful principles upheld by the movement.
IPOB, led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, continues to advocate for Biafra’s independence through non-violent means, such as civil disobedience and peaceful demonstrations. Unlike Ekpa, who funds and recruits criminals for violent acts, IPOB remains steadfast in its commitment to peaceful resistance.
In closing, IPOB urges all members, Biafrans, and supporters of the Biafra cause to remain focused on the primary goal— the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from illegal detention and the ultimate restoration of Biafra.
IPOB does not condone violence against civilians or security forces, nor will it accept any association with Simon Ekpa and his group.
COMRADE EMMA POWERFUL
Media and Publicity Secretary for IPOB
