IPOB in fresh crisis as Nnamdi Kanu bars brother from issuing public statements

The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, ordered his brother, Prince Emmanuel, to stop making public statements on behalf of himself or the family.

Emmanuel, in January, urged the public to disregard a voice note that had gone viral, alleging that the IPOB Leader was poisoned in detention.

He claimed that he met with the IPOB Leader at the Abuja headquarters of the Department of State Services, DSS, where he is currently detained.

Reliable sources told POLITICS NIGERIA that the statement issued by Prince Emmanuel has degenerated into controversies among top members of the group.

Many believed Emmanuel’s statement downplayed the health challenges of the leader and the concerns for his safety.

They noted that the leader of the group was miffed by the statement released by his brother and has ordered that he should stop making public statements.

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POLITICS NIGERIA also obtained a series of correspondences between the IPOB leader and members of the group.

A member of the group who pleaded anonymity confirmed this saying: “It is true that Emmanuel has been ordered to stop making statements. This came from Mazi himself. We are working on settling the issue,”.

As of the time of filing this report, the outlawed group’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, and spokesperson, Emma Powerful, could not be reached for comments.

Inside IPOB’s multiple crises

This comes at a time the IPOB is facing crises in different countries including Germany and South Africa, which has led to the expulsion and suspension of members.

Another Kanu’s sibling, Kingsley Ezebuiro, who is also known as ‘Kanunta’, was suspended from the IPOB branch in Germany late January.

Kingsley’s suspension was announced in a statement signed by the National Coordinator of the group in Germany, Collins Chinedu.

“The lPOB leadership in Germany unanimously suspends him (Kingsley) indefinitely from the family of IPOB in Germany led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu with effect from today, the 21st of January 2023,” the statement read.

Kingsley was also accused of engaging in activities that bring disrepute to the IPOB globally.

The group said Kingsley is just an ordinary member of IPOB in Landsberg am Lech, Germany, but has been using his affiliation to the detained IPOB leader, Mr Kanu to gain “unmerited super advantage” and has been placing himself above every IPOB rule.

But Kingsley, in a series of tweets, has debunked news of his suspension, stating that it was masterminded by Chinedu, who he claimed has been expelled.

“I am born for a day like this, Kanunta Kanu is very much around”bThis is to inform the general public that Mr Collins Chinedu, was officially expelled from #IpobfamilyGermany by #MaziNnamdiKanu on 28:11:2022 through @AloyEjimakor . And his successor is Mazi OGBONNA ABRAHAM,” he wrote on Twitter.