BRGIE to South-East Governors: "No Legitimacy to Negotiate for Nnamdi Kanu’s Release

The Simon Ekpa-led Biafran Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE) has issued a stern warning to South-East governors and other leaders in the region to refrain from negotiating with the Nigerian government regarding the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the declaration of Biafra.

In a statement released on Sunday via his official X handle, Ekpa, who serves as the Prime Minister of BRGIE, declared that only BRGIE has the legitimate authority to call for Kanu's release and the declaration of Biafra.

 This warning comes amidst increasing support from South-East governors, lawmakers, and other regional groups, including the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for Kanu’s release as a means to achieve peace in the region.

Ekpa criticized these leaders, labeling them as "selfish politicians and traditional rulers" who had previously sabotaged the Biafra liberation movement.

 He stated, “Those selfish politicians and traditional rulers who are now jumping up and shouting negotiation with Nigeria after sabotaging the Biafra liberation are warned never to speak again. 

The warning will not come again; none of you have the mandate to speak for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu or Biafrans. We will not allow anyone to negotiate anything from tonight (Sunday).”

Emphasizing BRGIE’s stance, he added, “The Biafra Republic Government In Exile remains the only legitimate entity to do that. 

Those selfish individuals now taking center stage and shouting negotiations should stay away. Biafrans are not joking.”

This development follows a meeting of South-East governors in Enugu State, where they resolved to engage with President Bola Tinubu to secure Kanu’s release. 

Governor Hope Uzodimma, in a communique read after the meeting on July 3, 2024, expressed their collective decision to pursue this course of action.

Earlier, in May, Ekpa had also urged the Nigerian government to seek mediation from Finland to help resolve the ongoing conflict in the region.