The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on Friday, publicly disassociated itself from Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed “Prime Minister” of the Biafra Government in Exile (BRGIE), following his arrest in Finland. Finnish police detained Ekpa on charges of “public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” along with four other individuals accused of financing terrorist activities.
In a strongly worded statement, IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, clarified that Simon Ekpa has no official ties to IPOB and has never been a registered member of the organization. IPOB emphasized that it remains committed to a peaceful struggle for self-determination through nonviolent means, rejecting all associations with violence or terror-related activities.
“Simon Ekpa is neither a member nor a leader of IPOB,” Powerful stated. “He has never been registered with IPOB, either in Finland or globally. IPOB remains a peaceful global movement that has never embraced violence in our two-decade struggle for Biafra’s self-determination, despite relentless provocations from successive Nigerian regimes.”
According to IPOB, Ekpa has been involved in activities contrary to the group’s ethos of nonviolence. The statement accused him of recruiting violent criminals under the guise of supporting Biafra’s cause, destabilizing the South East region of Nigeria, and undermining the legitimate struggle for Biafran self-determination.
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Emma Powerful highlighted the role of Ekpa’s BRGIE in fostering insecurity: “It is unfortunate that some passionate Biafrans initially believed Simon Ekpa was genuinely sympathetic to the Biafra cause. They soon realized, however, that he was a destructive agent working to infiltrate and destroy IPOB’s peaceful movement. He recruited violent criminals under the banner of the so-called Biafra Liberation Army, causing chaos and tarnishing the reputation of the struggle.”
Powerful further alleged that the actions of Ekpa’s BRGIE have contributed to numerous crimes in the South East, including kidnappings, rapes, forced disappearances, and arson. IPOB accused Ekpa of aligning his group with criminal activities, which it says have exacerbated the suffering of innocent people in the region.
IPOB reiterated its unwavering commitment to achieving Biafra’s independence through peaceful means, specifically a United Nations-supervised referendum. Established by its detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB has distanced itself from all forms of violence, even as it faces ongoing persecution by Nigerian authorities.
“Despite government provocations and attempts to malign our movement, IPOB remains resolute in pursuing a peaceful path to freedom. Any individual or group advocating violence or armed struggle is acting independently and does not represent IPOB,” Powerful stated.
The arrest of Simon Ekpa has reignited concerns about security in Nigeria’s South East region and the challenges facing peaceful movements like IPOB. While IPOB continues to advocate for self-determination through dialogue and international legal frameworks, incidents like this threaten to overshadow its message and goals.
Observers say the situation underscores the need for both IPOB and the Nigerian government to engage in constructive dialogue to address the underlying grievances fueling unrest in the region. As IPOB distances itself from individuals like Ekpa, the focus shifts back to its peaceful struggle and the broader quest for justice and self-determination for the Biafran people.
The arrest of Simon Ekpa and IPOB’s emphatic disavowal mark a critical juncture in the Biafran self-determination movement. It serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in grassroots struggles, particularly those operating in politically sensitive environments. As the story unfolds, the focus remains on upholding the principles of justice, peace, and accountability.