Kanu Expels Ex-IPOB Leader, Nine Others Over Alleged Misconduct

Kanu Expels Ex-IPOB Leader, Nine Others Over Alleged Misconduct

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has announced the indefinite expulsion of former senior official Chika Edoziem and nine other members of the dissolved third administration of the movement’s Directorate of State (DOS), accusing them of violating the organisation’s code of conduct and undermining its leadership.

The decision, contained in a statement dated June 21, 2026, comes just days after the Edoziem-led faction announced Kanu’s purported suspension as IPOB leader over what it described as “unguarded utterances” and allegations of misconduct. IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, had earlier dismissed the suspension as unconstitutional, insisting that the third Directorate of State had already been dissolved and no longer possessed the authority to take decisions on behalf of the movement. (The Eagle Online)

In the latest development, Kanu, who is serving a life sentence on terrorism-related charges, announced the indefinite expulsion of Edoziem, Tony Nzurumike, Austin Agbanyim, Chukwudi Oforma, Isaiah Ubah, Collins Chinedu, Chinasa Nworu, Fidelis Ejiogu, Chidinma Nworu (also known as Juliet Edward Filatro), and Keke Uda.

According to the statement, the affected individuals “are hereby expelled from IPOB indefinitely” and “no longer represent, speak for, or act in any capacity on behalf of the Indigenous People of Biafra.”

Kanu explained that he appointed the third administration of the Directorate of State from detention in March 2017, giving it an initial six-month tenure that expired on September 16, 2017, but allowed members to continue serving at his discretion.

He maintained that while the dissolution of the administration was an administrative decision, the latest expulsions were disciplinary actions prompted by what he described as repeated violations of the IPOB Code of Conduct.

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“The Indigenous People of Biafra is governed by its Code of Conduct, which remains the supreme governing instrument of the movement. Every officer, coordinator, representative and member is bound by its provisions without exception,” the statement said.

Kanu further asserted that the power to appoint, suspend, remove or expel officers of the movement resides exclusively in the office of the Supreme Leader.

The expelled officials were accused of abandoning him during his detention by allegedly failing to provide adequate legal representation, welfare and medical support. They were also accused of ignoring his directive for pro-Biafra groups, including AVID, Rising Sun and Ambassadors for Self-Determination, to raise funds for his medical treatment while he was in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Other allegations levelled against the former officials include undermining his legal team, attacking his lawyers, making allegations against members of his family, spreading what he described as false narratives about the circumstances surrounding his continued prosecution after the Court of Appeal judgment of October 13, 2022, and repeatedly disregarding his directives.

The statement also accused the expelled members of claiming that President Bola Tinubu would only facilitate his release if he abandoned the Biafra agitation, circulating what it described as fabricated claims that two African countries advised them to abandon him, removing officers he had appointed without authorisation, altering the IPOB oath of office and engaging in activities allegedly aimed at weakening the organisation.

“Their repeated violations of the IPOB Code of Conduct and refusal to heed repeated warnings have necessitated this disciplinary action,” the statement added.

Kanu also warned that any individual, group or organisation that associates with or recognises the expelled members as IPOB representatives would be regarded as acting against the interests of the movement and the Biafra cause.

He directed members and supporters worldwide to recognise and support the fourth administration of the Directorate of State headed by Chris Nwaogu, insisting that IPOB “remains resolute, focused and united” under its current leadership.

The latest expulsions deepen an ongoing leadership dispute within IPOB, which intensified after the Edoziem-led Directorate of State announced Kanu’s purported suspension earlier in the week. The faction had argued that no individual possesses the authority to dissolve the Directorate of State, while the Kanu-backed leadership maintains that the body had already been dissolved before it issued the suspension notice. (The Eagle Online)

Kanu Expels Ex-IPOB Leader, Nine Others Over Alleged Misconduct