The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced the suspension of the Office of its Leader, Nnamdi Kanu, as well as the position of Director of Radio Biafra.
The group disclosed the decision following a full meeting of its Directorate of State held on Wednesday.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by the Head of the Directorate of State, Mazi Chikadibia Edoziem.
According to the statement, the Directorate of State will now take full responsibility for the administration and oversight of the organisation’s affairs.
IPOB maintained that the movement was established and developed collectively by Biafrans in the diaspora and not by any single individual. The group added that no individual possesses the authority to dissolve the Directorate of State, which it described as the highest leadership structure within the organisation.
The leadership explained that the decision followed a review of intelligence reports relating to communications allegedly originating from Kanu while in detention.
According to the statement, the group became concerned that certain communications attributed to Kanu had allegedly contributed to arrests and deaths involving members of the organisation in the South-East.
The group also claimed that Kanu’s activities and visitors were being monitored by security agencies.
IPOB Warns Against Violence
IPOB expressed concern over reports that some individuals were planning to establish a new militia group, warning that such actions could lead to renewed violence in the region.
The organisation stated that the suspension was intended to prevent what it described as reckless actions, unauthorised assumptions of authority and statements that could expose members to arrest, torture or death.
The group further declared that it would no longer accept responsibility for any criminal acts committed in the name of the suspended office.
It stated that IPOB should not be held accountable for the actions of individuals or groups that do not currently occupy recognised positions within the organisation.
Reports Of New Leadership Appointment
The development follows reports that Kanu had dissolved the third administration of the Directorate of State and constituted a fourth administration.
According to reports, United States-based Mazi Chris Nwaọgụ was appointed as the new Head of the Directorate of State.
A separate statement attributed to IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful reportedly directed Nwaọgụ to assume responsibility for the administration, coordination and daily management of the organisation’s activities under Kanu’s authority.
The Directorate of State was established in 2012 as the administrative arm of IPOB. Previous leaders of the body include Dr Justin Akujieze in the United States, Mazi Uchenna Asiegbu in Spain and Chika Edoziem in Switzerland, who assumed office in March 2017 during Kanu’s earlier detention.
