The Indigenous People of Biafra has insisted that the sit-at-home order scheduled for Monday, February 2, remains in force, saying there is no indication that its position will change, following a press briefing held on Thursday morning.
The group dismissed claims that the sit-at-home had been called off, describing such reports as lies and falsehoods aimed at confusing the public and weakening the movement.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB declared that the directive was final and non-negotiable.
“Monday, 2 February, sit-at-home is sacrosanct and will hold,” the statement read.
IPOB also disowned lawyer Ifeanyi Ejiofor, insisting that he is no longer the legal counsel to its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is facing terrorism-related charges.
The group said Ejiofor was removed as Kanu’s lawyer over two years ago and has no authority to speak for either Kanu or IPOB.
“It is public knowledge that Ifeanyi Ejiofor has been sacked by Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and neither represents him nor the IPOB he leads,” the statement said.
According to IPOB, Ejiofor recently wrote to the group requesting that the sit-at-home be called off, a move it said confirmed that he was acting without authority.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Ifeanyi Ejiofor wrote to me yesterday, requesting that I call off the sit-at-home. He no longer represents our leader and has no authority within IPOB,” Powerful stated.
The group further alleged infiltration by government agents and political actors, warning that some individuals were impersonating IPOB and members of its Directorate of State to mislead the public.
IPOB also accused some members of its Directorate of State of compromising the struggle by engaging with political authorities, including meetings with Chukwuma Soludo, which it claimed were aimed at undermining the solidarity shown to Nnamdi Kanu by traders at the Onitsha Main Market.
Those involved, the group said, “should be ashamed of themselves.”
Powerful further alleged internal power struggles within the group, claiming that some individuals were plotting to hijack the leadership of IPOB and divert attention from Kanu’s continued detention.
He alleged that Chinasa Nworu and Chika Edoziem had contacted him, urging him to stop issuing statements on Kanu’s detention, a request he said he rejected.
IPOB also denied reports circulating online that its spokesperson had resigned, describing them as fake and fabricated.
“The public is hereby advised to disregard every fake and fabricated resignation being circulated in my name,” the statement said.
Responding to claims questioning his visibility, Powerful said attempts to suggest that he “does not exist” were laughable, insisting that he remains actively engaged.
While alleging that some elements within the Directorate of State may have been compromised, IPOB maintained that the wider movement remains intact and loyal to its leader.
The group accused what it described as “anti-Biafra forces” of hijacking online platforms to impersonate IPOB officials in order to spread misinformation.
As of Thursday morning, IPOB said there had been no development to warrant a reversal of the sit-at-home order, urging supporters to ignore misinformation and comply fully with the directive.
“Biafrans are advised to beware of charlatans, ignore misinformation, and comply with the sit-at-home order on Monday,” the statement added.
