The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has distanced itself from the recent declaration of a so-called “Biafra Republic” by a Finland-based group, describing the event as a scam orchestrated by individuals aiming to destabilize Nigeria’s South-East region.
In a statement released on Sunday, IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful urged Biafrans and the public to disregard the declaration, stating that those involved are among the sponsors of insecurity in the region.
Emma Powerful emphasized that there can be no second declaration of Biafra, as the first and only legitimate declaration was made in 1967 by the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
He referred to the Finland declaration as a fraudulent attempt to undermine the Biafran struggle. According to him, the agenda of those behind the declaration is to sow division, create panic, and distract Biafrans from their pursuit of sovereignty.
The statement commended responsible media outlets and social media platforms for not amplifying what IPOB described as a mockery of the Biafran cause.
Powerful called on the international community, friends of Biafra, and supporters of the struggle to recognize IPOB’s ongoing efforts to peacefully restore the sovereignty declared in 1967, including its call for a United Nations-supervised referendum.
The group condemned the Finland-based organizers, calling them infiltrators and provocateurs attempting to tarnish IPOB’s image and derail its mission. Powerful expressed confidence that their actions would fail, describing the event as a desperate effort to discredit IPOB.
He warned that those exploiting the Biafran cause for personal gain would face consequences, though not from IPOB, but through what he described as the justice of the sacrifices made by Biafra’s fallen heroes.
In the statement, IPOB reaffirmed its commitment to restoring the sovereignty declared in 1967 and reiterated that it would not be swayed by the actions of those it described as unscrupulous elements.
The group disassociated itself and its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, from what it called the “idiocy” displayed in Finland. It maintained that the declaration in Finland was a scam and urged supporters to remain focused on the peaceful and legitimate pursuit of Biafran freedom.
