The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has forcefully reacted to its lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor’s controversial directive urging residents of the South-East to ignore the sit-at-home scheduled for Monday, February 2, 2026.
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The development follows the dramatic shutdown of Onitsha Main Market by Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, after traders allegedly defied the state’s ban on Monday sit-at-home observance.
In response to the closure, IPOB condemned the move and boldly urged traders to reopen their shops despite the governor’s order. However, the state government cracked down on the market, deploying armoured tanks and heavily armed security operatives to enforce the shutdown.
Angered by what it described as oppression of traders, IPOB, through its spokesman, Emma Powerful, declared a region-wide sit-at-home across the South-East on Monday, February 2, in solidarity with the affected traders.
However, Ejiofor issued a counter-statement, insisting that they had abandoned sit-at-home actions in the region. He further questioned Emma Powerful’s authority, alleging that the spokesman had been compromised.
Reacting swiftly, Emma Powerful dismissed Ejiofor’s claims, stating that a non-member lacks the authority to speak on behalf of the organization. He further alleged that Ejiofor had been expelled from IPOB, accusing him of misrepresentation and overreach.
Powerful stressed that IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, remains the supreme authority within the movement, noting that Kanu had clearly established a chain of command that cannot be undermined or challenged.
Powerful said, “The chain of command in IPOB is not a recent invention. It is as old as the movement itself. A sacked lawyer and non member of IPOB cannot speak for the movement.
“Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu deliberately created structured departments to manage the affairs of IPOB in moments exactly like this. His word is final. What he says is law within IPOB. Anyone struggling with this basic fact is either new to the struggle or fundamentally undisciplined.
“The Directorate of Media & Publicity predates all Directorates except IT headed by Mazi Ofoma and Finance still headed by Madam Nnennaya Anya. If you do not understand this, then you lack historical grounding in IPOB. No newspaper, media house, or international platform publishes anything concerning IPOB without passing through the office of the Spokesperson. That is not arrogance; that is structure.”
Continuing, Powerful spelt out the role of IPOB spokesman. “As Spokesperson of IPOB, my duty is simple and clear: To communicate to the world the direction set by our leader. To help secure the release of our leader while keeping the movement resolute, disciplined, and uncontaminated in the collective effort to restore Biafra.
“IPOB is led by Onyendu as long as he lives. He appointed members of the Directorate of State (DOS) while in DSS custody, acting through his now sacked lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who has absolutely nothing to do with Onyendu nor IPOB led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. A sacked lawyer and non-member of IPOB cannot speak for the movement.
“If Onyendu could appoint officers and debrief lawyers from detention, it means his directives are supreme and not subject to debate or query. He made this position clear to Asia Rep that visited him last week on behalf of DOS. So there is no confusion whatsoever.
“Only one person appoints or removes anyone in IPOB — our leader. No committee, no platform, no noise on social media alters this reality.”
The IPOB spokesman clarified that the February 2 sit-at-home is a one off event.
He also vowed that the movement cannot abandon Kanu, and would continue to fight for his freedom.
“The sit-at-home scheduled for Monday, February 2, is a one-off action in direct response to Governor Soludo’s reckless intimidation of our people for showing solidarity with Onyendu. It is not open to speculation, reinterpretation, or distortion.
“Let it also be clearly understood that those claiming to be from DOS that held a secret meeting with representatives of Governor Soludo on Thursday, claiming to speak in the name of our leader and allegedly assuring him that IPOB would not oppose the intimidation and humiliation of our businessmen and women at Onitsha Main Market, are gravely mistaken. They neither represent Onyendu nor understand him. Our leader has always stood—and will always stand—with the oppressed masses, not with their tormentors. No private meeting, inducement, or cowardly compromise can rewrite that truth.
“Anyone genuinely confused should go to Sokoto and seek clarification from our leader—not engage in idle gossip or internal sabotage online.
“Those hoping we will forget Onyendu and start chasing shadows are deluding themselves. He founded IPOB. He called us into this struggle. We remain bound to his vision and his instructions. If you are unwilling to follow what Onyendu wants, then form your own group and stop yapping on social media under the IPOB name.
“For the avoidance of doubt: The press statement concerning Monday’s sit-at-home was issued by me and by nobody else,” the spokesman added.
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