- In a video message on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Ekpa threatens severe consequences for oil companies disregarding the order
- Ekpa asserts that only Biafran government in exile has authority to decide, maintains sit-at-home will continue until demands met
Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, has issued a stern caution to oil-producing companies operating in the South-East region, advising them not to disregard the Monday sit-at-home directive.
Ekpa emphasized that companies should not be misled by circulating reports suggesting the cancellation of the sit-at-home order. In a video shared on his X (formerly known as Twitter) account, he conveyed a warning that oil companies adhering to false claims of the sit-at-home being revoked and resuming operations would face severe repercussions.
He asserted that the sole authority recognized by the Biafran people to make such a determination lies with the Biafran government in exile. However, he clarified that the sit-at-home directive will persist until their stipulated demands are satisfied. These demands encompass the release of Nnamdi Kanu and other prerequisites for the autonomy of Biafran territories.
“Good afternoon, good morning Biafrans all over the world.
“This particular message goes to the oil-producing companies in the world operating within Biafran countries from Shell down to the lowest.
“Our attention has been drawn to the fact that the expelled criminals in the Biafran movement are circulating to oil companies that there is nothing like sit-at-home.
“I want to put it as a warning, every oil company in the Biafran territory, the only government that is operational, functional and that is legit and to which the Biafran people are loyal to is the Biafran government in exile to which I am the prime minister.
“We have not called off any sit-at-home. We have not canceled the sit-at-home. We have not gotten our freedom. Nnamdi Kanu has not been released. The demand in the letter we wrote to you people has not been met.
“So if anybody comes to you to tell you that the sit at home has been canceled and you start operation, I swear with the spirit of those that died in the 60s that from that day you will not be able to produce or exploit any oil in the Biafran.
“We are going to face all of you from A-Z because of the money you are projecting into the economy of Nigeria that they are using to buy arms and jets to come to bombard us. So, we are going to stop them by stopping you.
“We have not gotten to you but we are coming. So, what I’m trying to say here is that the Biafran government has not canceled the sit-in at home. The sit-at-home continues until the demands in our letter are met.
“Tomorrow being Monday, the oil producing companies, you must make sure you shut down the production until the 18th of this month. And every Monday sit at home.
“If you open, you are going to have the Biafran people to contend with. We own the land, not you. You are exploiting oil from our land. We own it. You don’t own the oil and you don’t own the land. You may have the contract and agreement with the Nigerian government and that is still under review.”