Mr Simon Ekpa
‘Disregard Simon Ekpa’s sit-at-home order,’ IPOB tells Igbo in Lagos
Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has told Igbo indigenes resident in Lagos to disregard an order issued by a self-acclaimed disciple of Nnamdi Kanu, the group’s leader, Simon Ekpa calling on them to observe a sit-at-home over the 2023 election and post-election attacks suffered at the hands of thugs of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party in the state.
It would be recalled that Mr Ekpa, a legal practitioner based in Finland, had last Tuesday, in a Twitter message, called on Igbo resident in Lagos to observe a sit-at-home from Wednesday, in protest against the violence perpetrated on them and their businesses by thugs as a way to ground the economy of the state.
However, reacting to the call, Thursday, leadership of the pro-secession group that has been in running battle of control with Ekpa over the latter’s extremist disposition, told Igbo in Lagos to disregard the call, which it described as ‘laughable and disgraceful.’
IPOB, in statement by its Spokesperson, Mr Emma Powerful, said ‘anyone issuing any sit at home orders in Biafra or in Lagos is on his or her own and not doing so on behalf of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu nor of IPOB.’
“IPOB has never issued any sit-at-home order outside Biafra Land. Anyone issuing any sit at home orders in Biafra or in Lagos is on his or her own and not doing so on behalf of Mazi Nnamdi KANU nor of IPOB. Therefore, IPOB publicly disassociates ourselves from any purported sit at home call in Lagos or anywhere in Nigeria, including Biafra Land at this time.
“Any day IPOB issues a sit at home order, the reasons for the sit at home will be made public, and it will be observed only in Biafra Region and any other regions that may like to join.
“We are aware that Yoruba politicians are using political thugs and criminals to attack Ndigbo in Lagos, but they will regret their actions soon.
“Ndigbo in Lagos should know that IPOB is not looking for popularity but only interested in protecting all Biafrans irrespective of their location in the world until Biafra is restored and beyond.
“IPOB has no faction, let alone having a factional leader. The chief infiltrator in Finland has been ignored by Biafrans in his mindless sit at homes in the East; perhaps he thinks Ndigbo in Lagos will be so daft to obey his sit-at-home order in Lagos. We know our people are wise.
According to the Mr Emma, ‘the leader of IPOB remains Kanu who is currently being detained in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja, while those piloting IPOB’s struggle in Kanu’s absence are Directorate of State (DOS) members headed by Mazi Chika Edoziem.’
“The Finland-based double agent in question is not an IPOB member. A word is enough for the wise,” IPOB concluded.
