IPOB Commends Onovo, Reaffirms Kanu’s Global Legitimacy

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has commended Chief Martin Onovo, a former presidential candidate and policy head at the Movement for Fundamental Change, for what it described as his “fearless and truthful” position on the conviction of Simon Ekpa in Finland and its alleged link to detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

In a statement issued on Saturday by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, the group said Chief Onovo’s remarks exposed “the fraudulent attempt to connect Ekpa’s activities with Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB.”

“Chief Onovo rightly described Simon Ekpa as a deranged criminal, rightly convicted in Finland, whose activities have no connection whatsoever with Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu or IPOB,” the statement read.

According to IPOB, the Nigerian government created the vacuum for opportunists like Ekpa to thrive by refusing to obey court rulings that ordered Kanu’s release.

“The Nigerian government’s disobedience to its own courts, by refusing to release Onyendu after he was discharged, created the vacuum that opportunistic predators like Ekpa exploited,” the group stated.

Reiterating its global standing, IPOB stressed that it is a non-violent self-determination movement recognised internationally.

“Let it be made abundantly clear to the international community: IPOB is a peaceful self-determination movement, legally registered and recognised in over 60 countries across the world, with active presence in more than 100 countries and territories.

“IPOB operates under international law, particularly the African Charter and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP),” Powerful declared.

The group insisted that only Nigeria falsely labels it as a terrorist organisation. “No other nation, no international court, and no global institution has ever adopted or endorsed this false designation. IPOB is whiter than white, and whiter than snow before the eyes of the international community,” it added.

Turning to its detained leader, IPOB praised Kanu’s sacrifice and leadership.

“Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not only a symbol of Biafran resistance but also a man whose life embodies sacrifice, compassion, and selfless leadership.

“He has spent seven years in unlawful detention—kidnapped in Kenya and extraordinarily renditioned to Nigeria in violation of international law,” the statement said.

It added: “He sacrificed his parents and personal comfort for the freedom of his people. He is prepared to give up his very life if it guarantees a peaceful referendum for Biafran independence.”

IPOB further alleged that Simon Ekpa was a creation of the Nigerian state to undermine its structure.

“It is important for the world to understand that Simon Ekpa was never IPOB’s choice. He was a deliberate creation of the Nigerian State and their collaborators, including slavish Igbo politicians, who sought to use his violent rhetoric to supplant Onyendu’s reasoned and lawful leadership,” the group claimed.

Calling for international intervention, IPOB urged democratic governments and human rights organisations to press for Kanu’s immediate release.

“Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has been discharged by Nigerian courts, yet remains unlawfully detained in violation of Nigeria’s Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR),” Powerful stated.

The group echoed Onovo’s call for unconditional release. “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu must be released unconditionally. His continued persecution is an affront to justice, an insult to Nigeria’s judiciary, and a clear violation of international law.

“The international community must not stand by while a peaceful leader is persecuted and opportunistic criminals are empowered,” the statement read.

IPOB Commends Onovo, Reaffirms Kanu’s Global Legitimacy is first published on The Whistler Newspaper