The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB has said the Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma is funding the activities of Simon Ekpa, the self-styled Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s disciple.
Ekpa, a Finland-based lawyer is the leader of the ‘Autopilot’ group.
IPOB also denied that it was factionalised, insisting that its DOS is in charge of its affairs due to the incarceration of its leader, Kanu.
Emma Powerful, the media and publicity secretary of the group said Uzodimma was contracted by the Federal Government to depopulate Imo State.
The statement read: “We the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under our great leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu wish to draw the attention of Sahara Reporters news outlets and some other media houses in Nigeria and the world that IPOB has no faction whatsoever. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is the only leader in the IPOB therefore, any persons claiming to be IPOB autopilot group is totally fake and must be ignored. Either you’re IPOB or not.
“Also, IPOB under the leadership of our great leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is fully in support of Igbo youths, market men and women, religious men and women who wish to join the ongoing protest against the gruesome murder of Igbo youths by the joint militia of Hope Uzodinma in collaboration with Federal Government of Nigeria.
“We encourage everyone to show solidarity because it might be you tomorrow. We call our people to carry on with the non-violent, peaceful protest in Imo State because this evil government has killed too many people. We cannot remain mute and allow them finished our people in Imo state.
“Hope Uzodinma was on contract with Fulani Terrorist Federal Government to slaughter and depopulate Imo State youths in return for “American wonder” Supreme Court judgement that made him governor.
“IPOB has constantly announced that Simon Ekpa is not an IPOB member and will never be because he has sold his soul to the devil and has bitten more than he can chew.
“Let these facts sink into all who care to understand:
1. IPOB is only ONE body.
2. IPOB has a presence in over 100 Nations
3. IPOB has only one leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
4. IPOB has an Administrative body called the Directorate Of States (DOS) headed by Mazi Chika Edoziem.
5. In the absence of our Leader, the Head of DOS takes charge of the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in his several live broadcast had consistently informed our People that DOS is in charge of this struggle while he leads.
6. ESN is one and under the Command of DOS in the absence of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“Therefore, IPOB leadership (DOS) wish to reiterate to Biafrans, lovers of freedom and to the media that IPOB under Mazi Nnamdi KANU has no factions and will not relent in piloting the movement until our leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU is out from DSS dungeon. Autopilots are government-sponsored groups paid to Infiltrate IPOB and create an impression that IPOB has a faction.
“It is on record that the Nigerian Government have in the past sponsored enemies of IPOB to create none existing groups claiming to be genuine IPOB that later fizzle out and IPOB is still matching forward. IPOB is already used to this government agent and the latest group they call “Autopilot”. Let them do jamboree with government funds for the moment before they go the way of others.
“We knew it was Hope Uzodinma that paid the so-called Autopilot leader (Room freedom fighter) to declare the laughable, disgraceful and failed sit at home last Friday at the peak of the protest to discourage public not to support the peaceful protest going on now in Imo State. As a Double Agent, Simon Ekpa was paid to issue a jamboree and fallacious sit at home to discourage people from protesting the murder of 14 innocent youths in Awo-Mmamma. The autopilot is a government-sponsored group that has never given orders to Biafrans before and we would not allow them to do that so long as IPOB exist.
“Even with the protest and outrage against murderous Ebubeagu militia, Hope Uzodinma never shut down the Ebubeagu camp in his house at Omuma Community where he issues directives on who to kill and who not to kill in Imo State. Hope Uzodinma must know that power belongs to people.
“If we fail to stop this Hope Uzodima murderer from eliminating our people, they may replicate their actions in other States. IPOB and ESN stand in solidarity with the youths and people of Imo state to ensure that the evil and murderous Ebubeagu is disbanded by the government or they will push the people to an unbearable and unacceptable point that could compel them to take laws into their hands to bring the Ebubeagu murderous activities to an end”.