IPOB Breaks Silence, Distances Itself From Simon Ekpa’s Activities and Phantom Government Formed Abroad

 

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has firmly disassociated itself from the controversial ‘Biafra Government in Exile’ being spearheaded by Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed separatist based in Finland. The movement issued a strongly-worded statement on Thursday, denouncing both Ekpa and the group he leads, labeling them as fraudsters without ideological clarity or popular mandate.

Speaking through its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, IPOB made it clear that the alleged government in exile does not represent its mission or vision for the Biafran people. The group condemned the actions of Ekpa, who is currently facing terrorism-related charges in Finland, and reiterated that it would never be a part of what it described as a “criminal syndicate.”

The statement drew a sharp line between IPOB’s officially recognized leadership under Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and what it referred to as a “Helsinki-based charade” orchestrated for personal gain. IPOB accused Ekpa of gross misconduct, betrayal of core values, and deliberate distortion of the Biafran struggle for self-determination.

According to the group, the idea of announcing a government in exile without the involvement or consent of Biafrans is not only undemocratic but also absurd. They ridiculed the so-called government, reportedly declared from a barbing salon in Helsinki, describing it as a mockery of the collective struggle of the Igbo people.

Strong words were directed at those drawing comparisons between Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and Simon Ekpa. IPOB dismissed such parallels as offensive and delusional. The statement emphasized that Kanu has paid dearly for his activism, enduring rendition, solitary confinement, and ongoing legal battles, while Ekpa has remained in the comfort of a foreign country, seeking attention and monetary gain.

In clear terms, IPOB asserted that Kanu had explicitly forbidden several actions that Ekpa has undertaken under the banner of Biafra. These include the creation of a government in exile, forming an armed group, issuing Biafran passports and currency, and creating fake national identity cards. The statement accused Ekpa of violating each of these directives, further deepening his disconnect from the real objectives of the movement.

The group also warned that the acts of extortion, intimidation, and propaganda reportedly linked to Ekpa’s faction are not only criminal but also damaging to the legitimate cause of Biafran self-determination. IPOB stated emphatically that it does not kill or extort its people, nor does it recognize any splinter group claiming authority under the guise of the Biafran cause.

Highlighting the continued detention of its leader, IPOB criticized the Nigerian government’s inability to substantiate charges against Kanu, even after several attempts at amending them. According to the statement, this is proof that Kanu’s mission is not only just but also backed by legal and moral validity.

Further reference was made to the Kenyan High Court’s declaration that Kanu’s abduction was illegal. IPOB used this point to drive home the argument that despite systematic torture and media defamation, their leader remains resolute and unbroken. The group added that when Kanu eventually speaks again, those who have exploited or sabotaged the movement from within and outside will be fully exposed.

IPOB cautioned its supporters and the public to remain vigilant and to reject any imitation or movement that does not stem from its legitimate structure. The group restated that Biafra is not a tool for social media popularity, nor is it a platform for scammers and cowards seeking relevance through fabricated claims.

“Biafra is not a hustle,” the statement declared. “Biafra is not content for clicks or a YouTube fantasy. It is a sacred mission rooted in justice, equality, and the will of the people.”

This latest statement marks one of IPOB’s strongest rejections yet of Simon Ekpa and his alleged government in exile. As tensions grow between various factions claiming to represent the Biafran cause, IPOB appears determined to clarify its position and preserve the legacy of its detained leader.