The newly appointed Head of the Fourth Administration of the Directorate of State (DOS) of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Chris Nwaọgụ, has reaffirmed that the group’s detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, remains the sole authority empowered to appoint, suspend, or remove the movement’s principal officers.
Nwaọgụ stated this on Monday in an address to the group and its supporters, saying Kanu had exercised his constitutional powers by reconstituting the Directorate of State from the Sokoto Custodial Centre, where the IPOB leader is currently being held.
According to him, the decision marks the beginning of what he described as a new phase aimed at ending years of internal divisions, leadership disputes, and alleged sabotage within the separatist movement.
“Our movement must return to the principles upon which it was founded – truth, loyalty, discipline, sacrifice, accountability, and absolute commitment to the restoration of Biafra,” Nwaọgụ said.
Addressing the leadership changes, Nwaọgụ dismissed claims questioning Kanu’s authority to make appointments while in detention, arguing that previous members of the Directorate of State had accepted appointments made by Kanu during his detention at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
He said it was inconsistent for those who accepted appointments under those circumstances to now argue that Kanu lacked the authority to reconstitute the leadership because he remains in custody.
“Authority cannot be valid when it benefits you and become invalid the moment you are held accountable,” he said.
According to Nwaọgụ, IPOB’s Code of Conduct clearly vests the power to appoint, suspend, dissolve, and dismiss principal officers exclusively in Kanu as the group’s Supreme Leader.
“The absolute authority to appoint, suspend, dissolve, and dismiss principal officers of IPOB rests exclusively with our Supreme Leader, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. That authority cannot be delegated away, usurped, or vetoed by any committee, individual, or group,” he stated.
The DOS head also warned individuals or groups claiming to represent IPOB without authorization that they could face legal consequences.
“Any individual or group that falsely presents itself as the leadership of IPOB or uses the name, identity, insignia, or structures of IPOB for unauthorized purposes does so entirely at its own risk,” he warned.
According to him, IPOB’s Code of Conduct has been communicated to governments and relevant authorities in countries where the organization maintains recognized structures, expressing confidence that any legal disputes over the group’s leadership would be determined in accordance with applicable laws and the movement’s governing rules.
Nwaọgụ announced a number of priorities for the new administration, beginning with the restoration of Radio Biafra, which he described as a vital platform that had remained silent for an extended period.
“One of the first priorities of my administration is the restoration of Radio Biafra. We are determined to restore it so that the authentic voice of our struggle will once again be heard throughout the world without distortion or manipulation,” he said.
He also disclosed that efforts were underway to identify IPOB members and supporters who remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) and correctional facilities across Nigeria.
According to him, the group’s legal team has begun reviewing the cases of detained members with a view to providing legal representation and pursuing all lawful avenues available for their release.
“A movement that cannot care for those who sacrificed their freedom for its cause has abandoned its own conscience,” he added.
Nwaọgụ further said the administration would strengthen welfare arrangements for members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), stating that existing support systems would be reviewed to improve oversight, accountability, and the management of resources allocated for their welfare.
The IPOB official also promised greater financial accountability within the organization, saying contributions made by members of the movement belong to the organization rather than individuals.
“Every contribution made by Biafrans across the world represents sacrifice. Those resources belong to the movement, not to individuals. Our administration will restore financial discipline, transparency, and confidence throughout every structure of IPOB,” he said.
In addition, Nwaọgụ said the administration would provide weekly updates on the legal proceedings involving Kanu, noting that supporters deserve accurate information rather than speculation or misinformation.
“Our people deserve accurate information – not rumours, propaganda, or confusion,” he stated.
He expressed optimism that ongoing diplomatic engagements with members of the international community would yield positive outcomes for the movement.
Nwaọgụ urged IPOB members at home and in the diaspora to remain united, peaceful, and disciplined despite recent internal disagreements.
“Our strength has never rested in personalities but in our collective conviction that our people deserve justice, dignity, security, freedom, and the right to determine their own future,” he said.
