A fresh leadership crisis has erupted within the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), with a faction led by Chikadibia Edoziem announcing the indefinite suspension of the group's founder, Nnamdi Kanu, in a dramatic escalation of a power struggle that has been brewing within the separatist movement.
The development came just days after Kanu reportedly dissolved the Directorate of State (DOS) administration headed by Edoziem and appointed a new leadership team to oversee the affairs of the organisation.
In a statement issued on behalf of the Edoziem-led DOS, the faction rejected the dissolution of the body and declared Kanu's position as IPOB leader suspended with immediate effect.
The group argued that no individual, regardless of status within the movement, possesses the authority to dissolve the Directorate of State, which it described as the apex institution responsible for overseeing IPOB's affairs globally.
Edoziem maintained that any attempt to disband the DOS was invalid and should not be recognised by members of the organisation or the public.
The faction further announced the suspension of Kanu from his role as Director of Radio Biafra, claiming the decision was reached during a meeting of DOS members as part of efforts to protect and strengthen the movement.
According to the statement, the action was prompted by information alleging that Kanu held discussions with Nigerian security agencies while in custody and agreed to measures that could undermine the organisation's objectives.
The faction claimed the suspension was intended to prevent any individual or group from carrying out actions in Kanu's name that could expose the movement to legal or reputational risks.
The announcement marks one of the most direct challenges yet to Kanu's authority since he founded IPOB in 2012 and became the face of the campaign for an independent Biafran state.
However, Kanu's loyalists swiftly dismissed the move, insisting that the IPOB leader remains firmly in control of the organisation.
Earlier this week, a statement issued on Kanu's authority announced the dissolution of the Edoziem-led third Directorate of State and the inauguration of a fourth administration headed by Chris Nwaọgụ.
The statement said the leadership change followed an assessment of the performance of the Edoziem-led team during what it described as a critical period in the history of the movement.
It accused the former administration of failing to adequately support detained members, safeguard the integrity of the organisation and effectively advance IPOB's strategic goals.
According to the statement, the newly appointed leadership has been tasked with rebuilding confidence within the movement, restoring internal cohesion and strengthening accountability.
Reacting to Edoziem's counter-move, IPOB spokesman Emma Powerful described the suspension of Kanu as baseless, insisting that the former DOS leadership had already been removed from office.
"Nnamdi Kanu remains the leader of IPOB. The Edoziem-led group has been sacked," he said.
The latest dispute underscores the deepening divisions within IPOB, which has struggled with recurring leadership battles since Kanu's first arrest in 2015 and his subsequent re-arrest in 2021.
Over the years, the organisation has witnessed a series of internal disagreements, factional disputes and challenges to Kanu's authority, most notably from Finland-based separatist agitator Simon Ekpa, who repeatedly ignored directives issued by the IPOB founder.
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