The Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in-exile, BRGIE, Ogechukwu Nkere, has disowned Ngozi Orabueze and other Biafra independence agitators.
In a statement on Tuesday, Nkere declared that the organisation operates independently of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, insisting that it is not under the leadership or control of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
He clarified the relationship between BRGIE and IPOB while addressing controversies surrounding the leadership of the Biafran independence movement.
He maintained that Simon Ekpa, its former leader who is currently serving a jail term in Finland, had previously claimed allegiance to Nnamdi Kanu. However, BRGIE, under Ekpa's leadership, had no confirmation that Kanu authorised such representations or accepted any leadership role within the organisation.
He explained that after assuming leadership of BRGIE, he made efforts to establish a working relationship with IPOB through an outreach to Kanu and an offer of partnership, but the initiative did not produce an agreement.
"That outreach did not produce an agreement. Instead, BRGIE received a demand for its dissolution," he stated.
The BRGIE leader consequently declared that the organisation was neither a component of IPOB nor subject to its authority.
"BRGIE therefore makes its position clear: it is an independent organization, is not a component of IPOB, and is not subject to the direction or control of IPOB or Mazi Nnamdi Kanu," he said.
While acknowledging Kanu's contributions to Biafran advocacy, Nkere said BRGIE did not recognise him as its Supreme Leader or as having governing, supervisory or decision-making authority over its leadership and operations.
He further announced that BRGIE would stop using Kanu's name or image in ways that could suggest his endorsement, affiliation or leadership.
"BRGIE will respect IPOB's organisational independence and expects the same respect in return," he added.
Nkere said the organisation would pursue international recognition through its own diplomatic engagements.
"BRGIE's leadership and governing authority rest with its current administration. Any future change in Ekpa's circumstances would not, in itself, alter those arrangements," he said.
According to Nkere, neither Orabueze nor her separate organisation has any affiliation with BRGIE or the authority to represent it.
"Under my leadership, BRGIE will pursue a distinct course centred on effective governance, organisational discipline, diplomatic engagement, and progress towards Biafran self-determination," he stated.
Biafra: Nkere disowns Ngozi Orabueze, distances himself from Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB