The Indigenous People of Biafra has intensified its internal leadership dispute, declaring that all actions taken by the dissolved Directorate of State led by Chika Edoziem are null and void, while reaffirming that its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, remains the movement’s highest authority.
In a statement on Friday, IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, said Kanu lawfully dissolved the third Directorate of State administration and inaugurated a new leadership team headed by United States-based Chris Nwaọgụ.
The group’s position comes amid Edoziem’s rejection of the dissolution and his insistence that he remains in charge of the organisation.
IPOB maintained that under its Code of Conduct, only Kanu possesses the constitutional authority to appoint, suspend or remove principal officers of the movement.
According to the statement, any attempt by the dissolved leadership to suspend or overrule the office of the Supreme Leader is unconstitutional and without effect.
The group accused Edoziem and members of the former administration of disregarding established procedures and attempting to challenge the authority from which they derived their mandate.
It stated that the dissolved leadership no longer possesses any legal or administrative powers within the organisation, stressing that directives, appointments and statements issued by its members after their removal should be disregarded.
“No Coordinator, Principal Officer, Directorate, Committee, or collective body possesses any constitutional authority to suspend, remove, or overrule the Supreme Leader,” the statement quoted from the IPOB Code of Conduct.
The organisation also warned members across its global network against recognising instructions issued by Edoziem, insisting that the third Directorate of State administration has ceased to exist.
IPOB further urged journalists and media organisations to verify statements attributed to the group through recognised channels to avoid giving legitimacy to what it described as unauthorised communications.
The separatist movement reaffirmed its support for the newly inaugurated fourth Directorate of State under Nwaọgụ and called on members to remain united behind Kanu.
The group added that disciplinary measures, including suspension and expulsion, await any member found undermining what it described as the lawful authority of its leader.
The latest development signals a deepening leadership tussle within the organisation, with rival factions laying claim to legitimacy as the movement seeks to maintain cohesion amid ongoing internal disagreements.
