In what is a moment of reality, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has denied Simon Ekpa, who announced he’s the Prime Minister of the Biafra Government In Exile.
Ekpa, who until his arrest by the Finnish Government on Thursday, was sponsoring insurrection and uprising against the Nigerian state, had announced self-rule for the South eastern state several times.
His activities had led to closure of business activities in the zone costing billions every Monday while stoking the ember of violence in far away Europe.
But his arrest which has elicited a lot of positive commendation has been met with the denial by IPOB that he did not represent them. Simply that he was on his own.
The WHISTLER reports that Ekpa and four others who were arrested in Finland on charges related to terrorism, were ordered to be imprisoned “with probable cause on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” the District Court of Päijät-Häme, Finland said in Thursday.
But reacting to the arrest by the Finnish authorities, IPOB spokesman, Comrade Emma Powerful in a statement on Friday disclosed that the group had nothing to do with Ekpa and his group, calling them “autopilot”.
He disclosed that IPOB has some family units in Finland, and Simon Ekpa is not a registered member of any IPOB unit in Finland or any other IPOB unit globally.
Powerful maintained that IPOB is not interested in the arrest of Ekpa, noting that all they want is for the release of their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who has not committed any offence and who has been freed by the law courts.
The statement informed that on several occasions the pro Biafra group has reiterated that Ekpa had no relationship with the IPOB from the formation to date and he had nothing in common with the Biafra struggle.
Powerful emphasised that for a long time, IPOB has maintained that there is nothing like autopilot in the Biafra struggle which Ekpa represents.
“The IPOB advised the Nigeria authorities to stop linking IPOB with Ekpa and his group, explaining that IPOB is not interested in his arrest or whatever.
The IPOB spokesperson however reiterated the call for the Nigerian government to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who he said has been detained for no known crime other than fighting for the liberation of his people.
The statement read in parts; “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 for 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 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 destabilise 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 called 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,” Powerful said.
He stressed that, “The Simon Ekpa led group has no alliance or relationship with IPOB and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
He alleged that Ekpa “recruited his criminals who have been terrorising the Biafran territory since 2021 after the kidnap, extraordinary rendition, and illegal detention 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 demonise 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.