Igbo Leaders Condemn Simon Ekpa's Actions, Call for Extradition

In a strong move against Simon Ekpa, Igbo leaders have urged the Federal Government to initiate the extradition process of Mr. Ekpa, who currently resides in Finland. They accuse him of being responsible for the killings, property destruction, and disruption of markets and government facilities in the South-East while enforcing a sit-at-home order.

It is worth noting that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB), led by Nnamdi Kanu, had officially canceled the sit-at-home order since August 2021 and distanced itself from the weekly Monday exercise. However, despite this announcement, both the people and the government still associate IPoB with the sit-at-home order.

The leadership of the secessionist group is evidently fractured, with Kanu and his followers openly declaring a battle against Ekpa to regain control of the organization. There have also been allegations that the ongoing violence in the South-East states is orchestrated by Ekpa and his group.

Ekpa, who refused to take orders from the Directorate of State (DOS) of IPOB after Kanu's arrest two years ago, claims that the group is on autopilot and not under anyone's control. Several attempts by Kanu to rein him in have reportedly failed.

Igbo leaders view Ekpa's persistent sit-at-home order as counterproductive to Kanu's cause and an attempt to undermine the detained IPOB leader. They strongly condemn the continuous detention of Kanu in the Department of State Service (DSS) custody, describing it as executive rascality. They call on President Bola Tinubu to unconditionally release Kanu as ordered by the courts, in hopes that it will bring an end to the chaos and security breaches allegedly instigated by Ekpa.

Prominent figures, including Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, the first civilian governor of Anambra State, emphasize that the release of Kanu is essential for peace to reign in the South-East. They believe that if the government genuinely wants to stop the insecurity in the region, it should take action against Ekpa's alleged activities. The leaders call on Tinubu to act swiftly and release Kanu, as doing so would help resolve the tension and restore peace.

Several organizations, such as the Igboezue International Association Nigeria and the Diaspora (IIAND) and the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), also express their disapproval of Ekpa's actions. They argue that the sit-at-home order not only hampers Kanu's release but also harms the South-East economy. They call on Tinubu to release Kanu and adopt a political solution to address the situation.

Furthermore, the Igbo National Council (INC) demands that South-East governors request the extradition of Simon Ekpa from Finland. They warn that failure to do so will result in an embargo on Finland and a protest at the country's embassy. Others, like Eze Eluchie from the PADDI Foundation, advise people to disregard Ekpa, stating that even IPOB has disowned him.

The Coalition of South-East Youth Leaders (COESYL) accuses Ekpa of fighting to keep Kanu in detention rather than advocating for his release. They assert that his actions are contradictory to the principles of the Biafra restoration movement.

In conclusion, the conflict between Nnamdi Kanu and Simon Ekpa has caused division within IPOB, leading to a situation where Ekpa's sit-at-home order continues despite its cancellation by the organization. Igbo leaders have called for Ekpa's extradition and the immediate release of Kanu, believing that it would bring an end to the security challenges and restore peace in the region.