By CHARLES IWUOHA

The crisis in the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) took another twist on Sunday as leader of the organization, Nnamdi Kanu announced the expulsion of members of the dissolved 3rd Administration of the Directorate of State (DOS), the group’s apex administrative organ.

The crisis ensued after Kanu, on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, announced the dissolution of the 3rd Administration of the DOS, headed by Chika Edoziem.

He also announced the appointment of a 4th Administration, headed by Chris Nwaogu, as a replacement.

But Edoziem kicked against the development and in a counter move, issued a statement to declare that IPOB has suspended Kanu as the group’s leader.

Edoziem also announced the suspension of the spokesman, Emma Powerful.

However, IPOB, in a statement by Emma Powerful, dismissed Kanu’s purported suspension, describing it as illegal, null and void.

The group subsequently published details of its Code of Conduct, which stated that Kanu, as leader of the group, has the exclusive authority to appoint and dissolve the DOS.

In a statement he personally signed, which was made available to journalists on Sunday, June 21, 2026, Kanu – who is serving a life sentence in Sokoto prison following his conviction on terrorism charges filed against him by the Nigerian government – declared that the expulsion of members of the Edoziem-led DOS is with immediate effect.

Those expelled were listed as Chika Edoziem, Tony Nzurumike, Austin Agbanyim, Chukwudi Oforma, Isaiah Ubah, Colins Chinedu, Chinasa Nworu, Fidelis Ejiogu, Chidinma Nworu a.k.a Juliet Edward Filatro and Keke Uda.

“I, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Supreme Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Worldwide, Head of the Biafra Restoration Project and Director of Radio Biafra, hereby announce the indefinite expulsion of the following members of the dissolved 3rd Administration of the Directorate of State from the Indigenous People of Biafra with immediate effect:

“These individuals are hereby expelled from IPOB indefinitely. They no longer represent, speak for, or act in any capacity on behalf of the Indigenous People of Biafra,” Kanu said in the statement.

Giving a historical context of the decision, Kanu said a change of leadership in the DOS is not new, even as he explained that the tenure of the Edoziem-led team had already elapsed before he renewed its mandate.

The IPOB leader further explained that whereas the dissolution of the 3rd Administration of the DOS was an administrative action, the expulsion of the team is a disciplinary measure arising from the conduct of the affected persons.

He emphasized that all actions were taken in accordance with the IPOB Code of Conduct.

“I appointed the 3rd Administration of the Directorate of State from Kuje Prison in March 2017. The original six-month term of that administration lapsed on 16 September 2017. They were allowed to continue in office solely at my pleasure and discretion as Supreme Leader. A change of leadership in the Directorate of State is therefore not new.

“The dissolution of the 3rd Administration of the Directorate of State was an administrative action. The expulsions announced herein are disciplinary actions arising from the conduct of the affected individuals before and after that dissolution and are based upon their repeated violations of the IPOB Code of Conduct.

“The Indigenous People of Biafra is governed by its Code of Conduct, which remains the supreme governing instrument of the movement. Every officer, coordinator, representative, and member is bound by its provisions without exception. The authority to appoint, discipline, suspend, remove, dissolve, or expel any officer or administration of IPOB is vested in the office of the Supreme Leader. The expulsions announced herein are made pursuant to that authority and in accordance with the IPOB Code of Conduct,” Kanu stated.

Further stating the grounds for the expulsion, Kanu noted that the expelled individuals have been found guilty of grave breaches of the IPOB Code of Conduct and the binding constitution of the Indigenous People of Biafra.

He added: “Specific acts of misconduct include: Wilful abandonment of the Supreme Leader and other Biafrans in detention for years without providing adequate legal, welfare, or medical support; Countermanding my explicit directive for AVID, Rising Sun, and Ambassadors for Self-Determination to raise funds for my urgent medical treatment when I was critically ill in DSS custody; Persistent attacks on my lawyers and active efforts to undermine my case in court with the help of some political actors in the South-East;

“Spurious allegations against my brothers in order to damage my family name; Persistent false claim that my brothers returned me to court after the Court of Appeal discharge of 13 October 2022, when in fact it was my then legal team (including Chief Mike Ozekhome and Ifeanyi Ejiofor) that went back to court instead of filing a preliminary objection to the Federal Government’s application for stay; Repeated disregard of my warnings and instructions to change course and focus on the real issues;

“Open claim that I will not be released by President Tinubu unless I abandon Biafra, which became the basis for their widespread disobedience and sabotage; Circulation of the fabricated story that two African countries advised them to abandon me in detention;

Sustained campaign of calumny to demarket me and seize control of the movement for political interests not aligned with Biafra; Persistent attacks on anybody who has ever called for my release, including revered figures such as His Majesty Eze Agubuzu. It took special intervention for Mike Arnold not to receive the same treatment;

“Unauthorized removal of officers I appointed and replacement with persons chosen for personal loyalty;

Alteration of the IPOB oath of office to demand loyalty to themselves instead of the cause and the Supreme Leader;

Conduct calculated to weaken IPOB and render it toothless.

“Their repeated violations of the IPOB Code of Conduct and refusal to heed repeated warnings have necessitated this disciplinary action.”

Kanu warned that any person, group, or entity that deals with, associates with, hosts, platforms, or speaks on behalf of the expelled individuals “shall be regarded as acting against the interests of IPOB and Biafra”.

He directed all genuine members, coordinators and supporters of IPOB across the world to give every material and moral support to the 4th Administration of the Directorate of State led by Mazi Chris Nwaogu.

“The movement remains resolute, focused, and united under my clear leadership and vision,” Kanu declared.

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