Power Clashed as Simon Ekpa Vows to Turn Down Nnamdi Kanu’s Instruction To End Sit-At-Home In South-East
Self-proclaimed Biafra agitator Simon Ekpa has sparked widespread reactions after openly rejecting the directive of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to end the controversial sit-at-home orders in Nigeria’s South-East region.
Kanu, through his legal counsel, recently called for an end to the sit-at-home protests, citing the significant economic and social damage inflicted on the region. However, Ekpa, a Finland-based separatist, dismissed the instruction, asserting that the sit-at-home orders are essential for achieving the broader goal of Biafra’s independence.
In a video address shared on social media, Ekpa stated, “Nnamdi Kanu’s call to stop sit-at-home is irrelevant as long as Biafrans remain under Nigerian oppression. The struggle continues, and sit-at-home remains a key strategy.”
The sit-at-home orders, initially introduced to demand Kanu’s release, have paralyzed economic activities, disrupted education, and created fear among residents. Over time, the directive has become synonymous with violence, as armed enforcers target those who defy it.
Ekpa’s defiance has sparked sharp divisions among Nigerians. Critics accuse him of exploiting the situation from abroad, indifferent to the suffering of ordinary people. “Ekpa doesn’t feel the pain of the South-East; he sits in Finland and calls the shots,” said a resident of Enugu.
Supporters, however, argue that Ekpa is carrying forward Kanu’s legacy. “He is bold and unyielding, unlike those who compromise under pressure,” a pro-Biafra activist commented.
The controversy has intensified calls for dialogue and resolution of the South-East crisis, with many urging the Nigerian government to address the root causes of secessionist agitations rather than relying solely on military action.
