The Indigenous People of Biafra has accused some of its expelled former leaders of undermining efforts to secure the release of its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, insisting that their removal from the organisation was necessary to protect its mission.
The Deputy Head of IPOB’s newly constituted Fourth Directorate of State, Solomon Egbo, made the allegation in a statement on Monday while defending Kanu’s decision to dissolve the previous leadership structure and appoint new officials.
According to Egbo, the expelled officials committed repeated violations of the group’s constitution and code of conduct, adding that their actions weakened efforts aimed at securing Kanu’s freedom.
He alleged that the former leaders abandoned Kanu during his detention, failed to provide adequate legal and welfare support, frustrated fundraising initiatives approved for his medical treatment, and promoted narratives that undermined the organisation.
“Their actions were not mere mistakes. They were deliberate, sustained, and aimed at undermining the freedom of our Supreme Leader and the very survival of our struggle,” Egbo said.
The IPOB official further accused the former leaders of attacking members of Kanu’s legal team and continuing to work with former counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, despite alleged directives from Kanu to the contrary.
Egbo also referenced the October 13, 2022 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which discharged Kanu after ruling that his extradition from Kenya to Nigeria was unlawful.
According to him, rather than consolidating what he described as a legal victory, the former officials allegedly spread misinformation and made unfounded allegations against members of Kanu’s family.
He further claimed that the affected officials attempted to take control of the organisation by removing officers appointed by Kanu, installing loyalists, altering the group’s oath of office and intimidating supporters who advocated the IPOB leader’s release.
“Their pattern was designed to strip IPOB of discipline, spirit and effectiveness, making it vulnerable to enemies and power grabbers,” he said.
Egbo maintained that the expulsions remain indefinite and take immediate effect, stressing that those affected no longer represent IPOB or the Biafran cause.
He called on members of the group worldwide to support the newly inaugurated Fourth Directorate of State led by Mazi Chris Nwaọgụ.
“Our focus remains unbreakable: the unconditional release of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the actualisation of Biafra,” he added.
Kanu had recently restructured IPOB’s Directorate of State and announced the expulsion of some former senior officials, accusing them of betraying the ideology and objectives of the organisation.
