Nnamdi Kanu, the jailed leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and his former follower, Chikadibia Edoziem, have announced conflicting changes in IPOB's leadership.
Kanu, who is currently in Sokoto prison, reportedly dissolved the third Directorate of the State (DOS) and set up a fourth DOS led by Chris Nwaọgụ.
Edoziem was the head of the third DOS. Kanu appointed him to the position in 2017 when he was first detained at Kuje prison.
Kanu started the DOS in 2012. It is the part of IPOB that handles the group's daily activities.
A statement from Kanu, sent to PREMIUM TIMES by IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful, announced the leadership change. Kanunta Kanu, Kanu's younger brother, shared the statement on his X account.
The statement said that Nwaọgụ would take charge of managing IPOB's affairs right away. He will work with his team under Kanu's authority.
Nwaọgụ accepted the role in a speech that was also shared by Kanunta and Powerful.
The statement explained that the third DOS was dissolved due to a "careful assessment" of how they performed during a critical time for the group. It said the DOS's main job is to protect IPOB, defend its members, and advance the goals set by Kanu.
The statement added, "Regrettably, the third DOS administration fell short of these sacred obligations in several fundamental respects."
It accused Edoziem's administration of failing to support detained IPOB members and allowing internal distractions. It claimed they did not protect IPOB's integrity or manage communication channels.
The statement said the fourth DOS must rebuild trust, restore unity, and bring back accountability and discipline to IPOB.
The statement also stressed that the change is not about revenge but about renewing the organization. It said the challenges facing the Biafra restoration project need fresh energy and a leadership structure that aligns with Kanu's vision.
In a statement on Thursday, Edoziem rejected the dissolution of the DOS. He claimed that no one has the authority to dissolve it.
Edoziem said, "No individual of whatever rank or position has the authority or power to dissolve the DOS of the Indigenous People of Biafra which is the apex institution overseeing the affairs of the movement."
He called Kanu's claim of dissolving the DOS null and void. He insisted that IPOB is a self-determination movement created by a group of Biafrans in the diaspora, not by one person.
Records show that Kanu founded IPOB in 2012. In his Thursday statement, Edoziem said Kanu's role as IPOB leader is suspended "indefinitely" starting immediately.
He also announced that Kanu has been removed as the director of Radio Biafra, a station that promotes secessionist ideas.
Edoziem said this decision was made during a DOS meeting on Wednesday to strengthen IPOB's operations. He claimed it was in response to information that Kanu met with State Security Service and Nigeria Intelligence Agency officials in Sokoto prison.
He suggested that Kanu agreed with these officials to compromise IPOB and set up a militia that would cause more violence in Nigeria's South-east.
Edoziem stated that suspending Kanu’s position was to prevent crimes being committed in Kanu's name. He added that IPOB would not be held responsible for the actions of anyone not authorized by the DOS.
When contacted for comment on Friday, IPOB spokesperson Powerful dismissed Edoziem's claims. He said Edoziem is simply upset that Kanu dissolved the DOS he led.
Powerful stated, "Nnamdi Kanu has been the leader of this movement from the onset. The Edoziem-led group has been sacked."
IPOB seeks to create a separate state of Biafra from the South-east and parts of the South-south in Nigeria. Kanu was sentenced to life in prison last November after being convicted of terrorism. He is currently serving his sentence in Sokoto prison and has appealed his conviction.
Since Kanu's first arrest in 2015 and his rearrest in 2021, IPOB has faced ongoing leadership issues.
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