IPOB Denies Ties with Simon Ekpa Following Finland Detention
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), under the leadership of detained Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has once again distanced itself from Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE). This comes amid Ekpa’s recent detention by Finnish authorities on suspicion of terrorism-related activities.
On Thursday, a district court in Lahti, Finland, ordered Ekpa’s remand following his arrest for allegedly engaging in activities classified as terrorism.
Reacting to the development, IPOB issued a statement through its Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, reaffirming that Simon Ekpa was never a member of IPOB. According to the statement, Ekpa is not registered with IPOB in Finland or any other country.
“For public records, Simon Ekpa has never been a member of IPOB led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who has been illegally detained in solitary confinement by the Nigerian government for nearly four years,” the statement reads.
The group also addressed reports by certain media outlets, including the BBC, that referred to Ekpa as an IPOB leader. Emma Powerful clarified:
“Ekpa is not a member of IPOB, let alone a leader. IPOB operates peaceful family units worldwide, including in Finland, but Simon Ekpa has no affiliation with any of them. IPOB was established as a non-violent movement to pursue Biafra’s self-determination through a UN-supervised referendum.”
The statement went on to accuse Ekpa of infiltrating the Biafra movement and introducing violence:
“Simon Ekpa deceptively gained the trust of some Biafrans before they realized his intentions were destructive. His group, Biafra Government in Exile (BGIE), has recruited criminals under the guise of fighting for Biafra. These elements, including the so-called Biafra Liberation Army, have terrorized civilians, engaging in kidnappings, killings, and other atrocities in the Southeast region.”
IPOB maintained that it has consistently pursued peaceful means in its two-decade struggle for self-determination, even in the face of provocation by the Nigerian government.
The group further accused Ekpa of being a tool used by certain entities to sabotage IPOB’s cause:
“Nigerian politicians and the government have exploited Ekpa’s violent activities to smear IPOB’s image and derail its peaceful agitation. His actions do not reflect the values or mission of IPOB.”
IPOB called on international bodies, including the BBC and Finnish authorities, to refrain from associating Ekpa with its movement, emphasizing that IPOB is committed to non-violent resistance and civil disobedience.
Emma Powerful concluded by urging IPOB members and supporters to remain focused on the release of Nnamdi Kanu and the peaceful pursuit of Biafra’s independence:
“Simon Ekpa and his group represent everything IPOB stands against. Let it be clear to all that IPOB has no relationship with him or his violent agenda. For every crime, there is a day of reckoning.”
