Those want me to come to Nigeria are confused people – Simon Ekpa slams fellow Biafra

Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed de-facto leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been in the news recently for his controversial comments and actions in the struggle for the secession of Biafra from Nigeria.

The Igbo people, who are the predominant tribe in the southeastern part of Nigeria, have long clamoured for an independent state of Biafra, citing marginalization and discrimination by the Nigerian government.

Ekpa, who is based in Finland, has emerged as a prominent figure in the push for Biafra’s independence. He has been highly critical of the Nigerian government and has called for the boycott of elections and other government activities in the southeast region.

Ekpa was recently arrested and questioned by the Finnish police over alleged plans to impose a ‘sit at home’ during the just concluded elections in southeast states.

In a recent statement, Ekpa lashed out at those asking him to return to Nigeria, particularly Igbos living in Lagos. He called them confused and criticized them for not supporting the struggle for Biafra. According to Ekpa, staying in Lagos as a Biafran and challenging him to come home is the definition of confusion.

Ekpa’s comments have generated mixed reactions from both supporters and critics of the Biafra movement. While some have applauded his efforts to raise awareness about the plight of the Igbo people, others have criticized him for being too aggressive in his approach and for not considering the potential consequences of his actions.

The push for Biafra’s independence is not new, with several attempts made in the past to break away from Nigeria. The most notable of these was the Biafran War, which lasted from 1967 to 1970 and resulted in the deaths of an estimated 1-3 million people, mostly Igbos. The war ended with the surrender of Biafra and the reintegration of the southeast region into Nigeria.

Despite the failure of previous attempts, the call for Biafra’s independence remains strong, with IPOB leading the charge for an independent state for the Igbo people.

The group has been banned by the Nigerian government and labeled a terrorist organization, with its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, currently in detention. However, the ban and Kanu’s detention have not deterred IPOB and its supporters from pushing for Biafra’s independence.