The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has firmly disowned a purported declaration of Biafra in Finland, dismissing it as a deceptive ploy orchestrated by individuals seeking to undermine the movement. IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, in a statement released Sunday, labeled the event a scam and reaffirmed that Biafra’s sovereignty had already been declared by the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu in 1967.
Emma Powerful commended responsible media outlets for ignoring the so-called declaration, calling it a “mockery of the Biafra struggle.” The spokesperson emphasized that IPOB’s mission remains the restoration of Biafra through a United Nations-supervised referendum rather than engaging in theatrics outside Biafran territory.
“The Biafra struggle is a spiritual matter built on the sacrifices and blood of our heroes,” the statement declared. “Attempts by infiltrators to stage a second declaration are distractions aimed at destabilizing the South East and making the genuine struggle unattractive. They have failed.”
Key Highlights:
- IPOB clarified that only the 1967 declaration by Ojukwu holds legitimacy, rejecting calls for a new proclamation.
- The event in Finland was described as a “jamboree” funded by individuals aiming to divide Biafrans and tarnish IPOB’s image.
- Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB’s detained leader, had previously resisted pressures to declare Biafra a second time, citing strategic and legal reasons.
- The statement also accused the Finland group of sponsoring insecurity in the South East to sabotage the movement.
Emma Powerful stressed that the Finland declaration and those behind it were driven by financial motives and ignorance. He warned that the sacrifices made for the Biafra cause would ensure consequences for actions perceived as undermining the movement.
“The Autopilot criminals mocking the Biafra struggle internationally will face justice—not from IPOB, but from the spirits of the fallen heroes of Biafra,” he added.
