There are indications that the crisis rocking the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) may have deepened, as key members of the group fight dirty over signatory to its bank accounts domiciled abroad.
This is as access to the group’s accounts in one of the European countries has been restricted over the contention.
Blueprint reports that the group has been going through a leadership crisis following the arrest and detention of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, by the federal government.
A source familiar with the development told our correspondent that, “The choice of who would replace the former signatory to the account domiciled in the European country led to the restriction of access to the account pending resolution of the internal dispute threatening to tear the group apart.”
According to the source, who didn’t want to be named, “Among those in the money custody battle are a male, and female close relations of the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is said to be frowning at the disagreement among his lieutenants.
“In fact, while two of Kanu’s close relatives, one male, and the other female, are embroiled in serious contest over custody of the funds, his other senior lieutenants are also seeking to be listed as signatories to the account.
“The battle for supremacy has been on, however, the custody battle is fierce now because donations in foreign currencies running into thousands, if not millions, are being expected to hit the account in contention. This is apart from the huge amount that is already lying in the said account.”
Speaking further, the source said it is in a bid to resolve the crisis that IPOB has been fighting to secure bail for their leader, who they claim has health issues and needed to get medical attention outside the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
A check also indicated that the development may not be unconnected with conflicting directives, and counter-directives by IPOB, especially regarding sit-at-home orders in the run up to the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections by leaders of the different factions of the group.
One of the leaders of IPOB, Simon Ekpa, in a viral video, had threatened that elections would not hold in the region, stating: “There will be no general election in Biafraland in 2023, it is a sacrifice and a task that must be done by all Biafrans across the globe.
“I want every Biafran to watch this broadcast and share widely. Don’t miss it…Follow enterbiafra.com to know How IPOB activities are delaying Fulanisation of Nigeria. I am Simon Ekpa, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s disciple on Biafra restoration.”
However IPOB, through its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, had issued a counter statement, which read in part: “Every Biafran and resident in Biafra Land should ignore such orders from untrained and brainless individuals whose agenda is to make Biafra agitation unattractive to our people.
“IPOB cannot issue such a brainless uncaring 5-day consecutive sit-at-home order to suffer our people during this critical time of the year when people are trying to make up in their businesses for the year.”
Blueprint Weekend reports that the elections held in the region with barely any interruptions by members of the group.
