Ekpa's loyalists propose 40 states, ask police, military to vacate Southeast

Finland-based pro-Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa, has clarified that there will be no sit-at-home on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, in the Southeast — Finland-based pro-Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa,

Loyalists of detained Biafra separatist leader, Simon Ekpa, have proposed the formation of 40 states within the Southeast region to be collectively known as the United States of Biafra.

They also demanded that the Nigerian police and military forces vacate the Southeast region.

This declaration was made on Friday while Ekpa remains in Finnish custody on charges related to terrorism.

Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish citizen, was arrested in Finland in November 2024 alongside four others on suspicion of terror-related activities, including incitement to violence in Nigeria’s Southeast.

Despite his detention, Ekpa’s followers have continued to push for the actualisation of Biafra.

The Nigerian government has been in communication with the Finnish authorities, seeking Ekpa’s extradition to face charges in Nigeria.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, confirmed that the necessary requirements for extradition have been forwarded to the Finnish government.

Deputy Prime Minister and Chief of Staff to the United States of Biafra, Dr Ngozi Orabueze, in a statement on Friday, warned the Nigerian police, military, and non-state actors to vacate the Southeast region, portions of Southsouth, and other territories.

Orabueze said the decision follows the passage of 11 bills proposed by the USB cabinet in a virtual meeting held on Thursday, 30 January 2025.

She reiterated that there is only one government of the United States of Biafra, led by Prime Minister Simon Ekpa, deputised by herself.

Orabueze said the new organisation is proposing bills including the Constitution bill, a tax for oil companies and foreign companies in the USB bill, a voluntary tax bill on business owners, a bill to prohibit all non-state actors within USB territories and a bill for the defense of USB territories.

Orabueze added that the cabinet passed the conscription bill, the printing and circulation of currency bill, the international passport and driving license bill, the decentralisation of the military bill, the dissolving of the BRGIE cabinet bill, and the bill to adopt USB official addresses.

She said implementation of the bills is a prerequisite for the progress of Biafra.

“The decision becomes a turning point in the history of the United States of Biafra,” Orabueze noted.

“In perspective, the bills mandate the administrator of the 40 Biafra states to be called governors, while heads of departments become commissioners. For instance, we now have the state of Ohaukwu Governor.

“The prohibition mandates the immediate cessation and withdrawal of Nigeria’s military and police from the 40 states of Biafra. Over 120 cabinet members, including 40 state administrators, departmental secretaries, heads of country liaisons, and other cabinet members, were present during the virtual meeting.”