The Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in-Exile, BRGIE, Ogechukwu Nkere, has disowned Ngozi Orabueze and other Biafra agitators.
Nkere, in a statement on Tuesday, said BRGIE operates independently of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and is not under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
He explained the relationship between BRGIE and IPOB, as well as addressed controversies surrounding the leadership of the Biafran independence movement.
He said BRGIE was established in 2023 following the emergence of the Autopilot movement under former Prime Minister Simon Ekpa.
According to him, Ekpa had publicly described himself as a “spiritual son” of Kanu and used Kanu’s name and image alongside his own in communications promoting BRGIE, creating the impression that the IPOB leader endorsed or occupied a leadership position in the organisation.
However, Nkere said BRGIE had no confirmation that Kanu authorised such representations or accepted any leadership role within the organisation.
He explained that after assuming leadership of BRGIE, he made efforts to establish a working relationship with IPOB through an outreach to Kanu and an offer of partnership, but the initiative did not produce an agreement.
“That outreach did not produce an agreement. Instead, BRGIE received a demand for its dissolution,” he stated.
Nkere also mentioned public comments by Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, concerning Kanu’s non-recognition of a Biafran government, as well as the establishment of a Fourth Administration of IPOB’s Department of State, as further evidence of the separation between the two organisations.
The BRGIE leader consequently declared that the organisation was neither a component of IPOB nor subject to its authority.
“BRGIE therefore makes its position clear: it is an independent organization, is not a component of IPOB, and is not subject to the direction or control of IPOB or Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” he said.
Acknowledging Kanu’s contributions to Biafran advocacy, Nkere said BRGIE did not recognise him as its Supreme Leader or as having governing, supervisory or decision-making authority over its leadership and operations.
He further announced that BRGIE would stop using Kanu’s name or image in ways that could suggest his endorsement, affiliation or leadership.
“BRGIE will respect IPOB’s organizational independence and expects the same respect in return,” he added.
Nkere said the organisation would pursue international recognition through its own diplomatic engagements.
“BRGIE’s leadership and governing authority rest with its current administration. Any future change in Ekpa’s circumstances would not, in itself, alter those arrangements,” he said.
According to Nkere, neither Orabueze nor the separate organisation has any affiliation with BRGIE or the authority to represent it.
“Under my leadership, BRGIE will pursue a distinct course centred on effective governance, organisational discipline, diplomatic engagement, and progress towards Biafran self-determination,” he added.