IPOB DENIES Simeon Ekpa: “HE WAS NEVER A MEMBER. HE IS A SELF-ACCLAIMED PRIME MINISTER,”

IPOB’s Explosive Denial

Following Simon Ekpa’s arrest in Finland on charges of inciting terrorism, IPOB, a group globally recognized for its peaceful advocacy of Biafra’s independence, issued a strong statement disowning him. They described him as “destructive” and claimed he has no relationship with their detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu. IPOB insisted that their movement has always been peaceful, employing non-violent strategies for self-determination over two decades.

Their exact words were:
“IPOB is a peaceful global movement that has never taken to violence or armed struggle in our self-determination efforts. Simon Ekpa represents a destructive agenda that we outrightly reject.”

But why this denial now, and what does it reveal about IPOB’s internal struggles or possible infiltration?

The Alleged Crimes of Simon Ekpa

According to IPOB, Simon Ekpa’s “Biafra Government in Exile” (BIE) and his so-called “Biafra Liberation Army” have terrorized the southeastern region of Nigeria. They accused his group of kidnappings, killings, and the destruction of homes. IPOB stated that these actions have tarnished their image and that Ekpa’s agenda is separate from their peaceful cause.

Ekpa has also faced accusations of working with Nigerian politicians to sabotage IPOB’s movement, raising questions about his true intentions. If IPOB is telling the truth, has Simon Ekpa been a pawn in a larger game to undermine the Biafran struggle?

Nigerians React to IPOB’s Statement

As expected, IPOB’s denial sparked heated debates online. Some Nigerians argued that IPOB’s statement was long overdue, while others saw it as damage control.

Many questioned why IPOB hadn’t distanced themselves from Ekpa earlier, suggesting that this might be a case of betrayal within the movement. Some asked: “If IPOB is peaceful, why did they remain silent until now?”

Others pointed fingers at both the Nigerian government and foreign authorities, alleging that they allowed Simon Ekpa’s actions to escalate unchecked, further complicating an already volatile situation.

Ekpa’s Denial and the Bigger Picture

In court, Simon Ekpa reportedly denied being IPOB’s Prime Minister, claiming he is merely an ordinary member. This denial has only fueled speculation. Is Ekpa distancing himself from IPOB to avoid harsher penalties, or was he never truly part of the organization?

The Nigerian government has expressed satisfaction with Ekpa’s arrest, with the Defence Headquarters confirming plans to extradite him to face justice. But what happens next? Considering Nnamdi Kanu has been detained for over four years under similar accusations, will Ekpa face a similar fate?

What’s Next for the Biafran Movement?

This entire saga raises crucial questions:

Can IPOB recover from the negative publicity tied to Ekpa’s alleged actions?
Will Ekpa’s extradition to Nigeria reveal new truths about the internal workings of the Biafran movement?
Most importantly, with both Nnamdi Kanu and Simon Ekpa under legal scrutiny, who will lead the Biafran cause moving forward?