The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has distanced itself from the recent declaration of the “United States of Biafra” made at a convention in Lahti, Finland, organized by supporters of Simon Ekpa.
In a statement released on Saturday, IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful rejected any association with the event, labeling those backing Ekpa as “criminals engaged in illegal activities that are detrimental to their homeland.” The proclamation was made at a convention led by Dr. Ngozi Orabueze, who introduced herself as the Chief of Staff of the “United States of Biafra” and the organizer of the “Biafra Declaration of the Restoration of the United States of Biafra Convention 2024.” Eyes Of Lagos reports,
Videos from the event, which circulated widely on social media, showed participants waving Biafran flags and chanting slogans. However, IPOB reiterated its disavowal of the declaration and emphasized that it does not recognize the actions of Ekpa’s faction.
Powerful stated, “IPOB has no involvement in any conference. Those supporting Ekpa are criminals involved in illegal activities to destroy our land. There is no such declaration of Biafra from our side. Any claim that IPOB is hosting a conference is false. When IPOB makes an important announcement, the whole world will know. Those making such claims are fake.”
In response to the event, Sunday Edeson, spokesperson for the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), expressed that if IPOB successfully achieves Biafra’s independence, MASSOB would support and celebrate with them. He added that the British government would never back Biafran freedom.
Edeson remarked, “Everyone has the right to declare. They declared their freedom in Finland, but we are still under Nigerian leadership. We support them. Declaring independence in Finland doesn’t mean we’re free from the Nigerian government. We still use Nigerian currency, and security agencies are still from Nigeria. So, we’re still under Nigeria’s control.”
