The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a south-east separatist group, has named Chika Edoziem as its new acting head.
Edoziem, according to IPOB, will run the organization until its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is released.
Kanu is being held by the Department of State Services (DSS). The DSS has been holding the IPOB leader since he was re-arrested and repatriated from Kenya on June 27, 2021, to face treasonable criminal charges.
According to a statement issued by the group’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, Edoziem will hand over leadership to Kanu once he is released.
The pro-Biafra organization rejected the existence of any administration in exile, urging the public to disregard such reports as fake news.
The group stated that IPOB had legal and well-established institutions, as well as a well-organized membership.
The group has a well-structured administrative hierarchy that monitors the day-to-day management of its business, and all diplomatic missions and governments are aware of the Biafra agitation and have been engaging with it.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Directorate of State of the Indigenous People of Biafra (DOS), headed by Mazi Chika Edoziem, is at the helm of operations of the Biafra movement; anytime our leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU comes out, he gives over IPOB structure to him,” the statement reads in part.
“We, the global movement and noble family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, desire to emphasize to Biafrans, allies of Biafra, and lovers of freedom all over the world that IPOB, led by Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu, has not established any Government in Exile” (GIE).
“As a result, we entirely disassociate ourselves from the ostensible administration in exile.”
“The IPOB has legal and well-established institutions, as well as a well-structured administrative hierarchy that monitors Biafra issues on a daily basis.”
“All diplomatic missions and countries throughout the world are already aware of the Biafra agitation, and they communicate with IPOB as the responsible body that handles the Biafran people’s issues, whether nationally or globally.”
“The DOS sends letters to our people requesting asylum, and every country in the world accepts and grants asylum to such asylum seekers, who connect with IPOB.” There is no other government that is more powerful than that.”