*Suspends Leader Title, Names New Structure

THE Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has lamented the prolonged detention of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and some of its members across the country, saying their welfare and release remained its top priority.

    In a surprising move, IPOB announced the indefinite suspension of the Office of the Leader of IPOB and the position of Director of Radio Biafra, both of previously occupied by Nnamdi Kanu, a decision it said would remain in effect, pending further notice.

    It also made public, an overhaul of its leadership structure, including the dissolution of the third administration of its Directorate of State and the inauguration of a fourth administration, headed by United States- (US) based Chris Nwaọgụ.

    IPOB, in a statement issued from Langerfeld, Germany, and signed in the name of Kanu, said the decision to dissolve the outgoing administration followed what it described as a careful assessment of the movement’s performance during a critical period.

    The statement, which was made available by the group’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, explained that the move was part of ongoing administrative and organisational measures within the group, but did not immediately provide detailed reasons for the suspension, only indicating that further information would be communicated at an appropriate time.

    It identified the inability of the previous leadership to prioritise the welfare and liberation of hundreds of Biafrans detained across various detention facilities, particularly those held for years without trial at Wawa Military Barracks in Niger State as a major concern and “the most grievous failure of the outgoing administration.”

    Regretting that many of the detainees had endured severe hardship, while some allegedly lost their lives in custody, the statement added: “No movement that claims to stand for justice can neglect those who paid the highest price for their commitment.

    “The abandonment of detained Biafrans represents a profound dereliction of the duty of care owed to every member of the IPOB family.”

    It also accused the dissolved leadership of paying more attention to internal disagreements and factional disputes than to diplomacy, legal advocacy and prisoner welfare, noting: “Valuable time, resources, and organisational capacity that should have been directed toward diplomacy, legal advocacy, prisoner welfare, public engagement and strategic planning were instead consumed by distractions that weakened cohesion and undermined confidence within the movement.”     IPOB disclosed that the newly inaugurated administration had been mandated to rebuild confidence, restore unity and ensure that the welfare of members, especially those in detention, receives greater attention, saying Nwaọgụ would immediately assume responsibility for administration, coordination and day-to-day management of its affairs under Kanu’s authority.

    It listed other members of the new Directorate of State as Solomon Egbo, Deputy Head; Nnennaya Anya, Head of Finance and Budget Planning; Chigozie Okekenta, Coordinator of Coordinators; Chukwudi Nwogwugwu, Head of Medical and Welfare Planning; and Ikechukwu Onuoha as Head of Media.

    IPOB also announced the establishment of an Elders Advisory Council (EAC) to provide strategic guidance and institutional support to both Kanu and the new leadership, adding that all officers previously appointed by Kanu had been restored to their positions, pending administrative review, while previous suspensions and expulsions had been set aside.

    The group charged members and supporters worldwide to remain disciplined and cooperate with the new administration as it works to reposition the movement.

    This followed a full-house meeting of its Directorate on Wednesday, June 17, where the leadership reviewed intelligence reports concerning communications from Kanu, as disclosed in a statement on Thursday, June 18, and signed by Chikadibia Edoziem, Head of the Directorate of State, which would now be responsible for administering the affairs of the organisation and overseeing the movement.

    The leadership organ clarified that IPOB was “formed and nurtured by a group of Biafrans in the Diaspora (not by any singular individual),” stressing that no single individual has the authority to dissolve the Directorate of State, which remains the apex leadership structure.

    It stated that it acted after becoming mindful that certain unguarded communications from Sokoto Prison, where Kanu is serving a jail term, to those at home had caused unnecessary arrests and death of IPOB family members in Biafraland.

    The leadership noted that Kanu’s visitors and activities are heavily monitored by the Department of State Services (DSS) and expressed concern over a separate plan by certain individuals to set up a new militia that would trigger a fresh round of violence in the region.

    The statement noted that the suspension will “prevent unchecked actions, reckless assumption of authority and unguarded utterances from resulting in the reckless arrests, torture and needless death of Biafran youths.”

    It declared that any criminal activity carried out in the name of the suspended office will no longer be blamed on the group, adding: “IPOB shall hence forward not be held accountable for actions of individuals or groups of Individuals not holding any active position within IPOB.”

    Kanu was reported to have, in pursuant to his declared authority, inaugurated a 4th Administration of the DOS and appointed Nwaọgụ as the new Head of the Directorate of State.

    The DOS was originally established by Kanu in 2012 as the administrative arm of IPOB, previously led by Justin Akujieze in the US; Uchenna Asiegbu in Spain; and Chika Edoziem in Switzerland, who was appointed to the 3rd Administration in March 2017 during Kanu’s prior detention at Kuje Prison.