Simon Ekpa, a self-styled disciple of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Saturday claimed that Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi state created a parallel group to counter the controversial sit-at-home exercise in the southeast region.
According to Finland-based Ekpa, IPOB’s Directorate of State (DoS), headed by Chika Edoziem, is averse to sit-at-home, whilst his own breakaway faction, ‘IPOB Autopilot’, continue to support the exercise — despite its suspension.
It is noteworthy that the sit-at-home was originally embarked on due to the detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the IPOB leader. However, Senate Minority Leader, Eyinnaya Abaribe, recently said that Kanu denied issuing the directive at a meeting with him, former Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu and two clerics at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja.
“When they tell you that Umahi is creating parallel group to counter IPOB sit at home, he was talking about DOS. Today, while we the IPOB autopilot continue to push sit at home, DOS and their E-rat are countering the sit at home just exactly the way Umahi wanted it. Now you know!” Ekpa said on his known Twitter handle.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that IPOB had suspended its sit-at-home directive in the region.
In what looked like a denial of Monday’s disturbances in Southeast states, IPOB had asked South East governors and security operatives to penalise purported enforcers of the suspended sit-at-home order in the region.
In a statement issued in January by Media and Publicity Secretary of IPOB who has the pseudonym, Emma Powerful, the group distanced itself from the shootings in most Southeast states that has disrupted economic activities.
The violence resulted in killings, burning of cars, while some residents were injured.
Kanu is standing trial on charges bordering on treasonable felony.
