- Ohaneze Ndigbo accuses Simon Ekpa of being hired to destabilize the Southeast region.
- They claim that Ekpa is using the pro-Biafra struggle and Nnamdi Kanu’s detention for personal gain.
- The group calls out Finland for harboring Ekpa and allowing him to incite destructive actions in Igbo land.
Ohaneze Ndigbo, the leading socio-cultural group representing the Igbo people, has accused Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed separatist, of exploiting the pro-Biafra movement and the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, for personal gain, disregarding the well-being and security of the Igbo community.
The group further alleges that Ekpa, who is based in Finland, is collaborating with enemies of the Igbo land and has purportedly received substantial financial support to disrupt the region and hinder its progress.
Expressing concern, Okwu Nnabuike, the National President of Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), questioned Finland’s decision to provide a safe haven for Ekpa and allow him to utilize the European nation as a platform for initiating what they consider to be harmful sit-at-home campaigns and provocative incitements.
According to the group, Ekpa’s sit-at-home directives are part of a deliberate scheme to undermine the economy and social fabric of the Southeast region.
“Ndigbo, Nigerians, and the international community need to understand that Ekpa is not genuinely advocating for the cause of Biafra or Kanu,” Nnabuike asserted.
“On the contrary, he has betrayed us all by aligning himself with our adversaries, who are determined to economically, politically, and socially annihilate us. He is also actively working against Kanu’s release to sustain his own financial gains. He knows that as long as the region remains restless, the Nigerian government is likely to keep Kanu in detention.”
The Ohanaeze youths further highlighted that Ekpa’s actions serve the interests of those who benefit from the Southeast’s decline within the federal system, both from within the region and outside. The resulting consequences include significant loss of investments and the relocation of businesses to other parts of Nigeria.
The group also called out the Finnish government, alleging complicity in the insecurity plaguing the region.
“We must hold the Finnish government accountable for the presumed collaboration in the security crisis affecting our region,” Nnabuike declared.
“We cannot stop wondering why such a European society, renowned for its value for human life, continues to harbour Ekpa and allow him to freely incite disaster and destruction of life and property in Igbo land. Will Finland also treat him with kid gloves should his utterances or actions lead to death of a single Finnish?”