Crisis in IPOB, when the faction issued a directive on the temporary dismissal of the leader, Nnamdi Kanu

The State Directorate (DoS) of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) announced the temporary suspension of the posts of Chairman of IPOB and Director of Radio Biafra, both of which were previously held by Nnamdi Kanu.

The decision, according to the group, will remain in effect pending further notification.

The decision was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by Chikadibia Edoziem, head of DOS, IPOB’s highest decision-making body, adding that it was an effort to reposition the organization and strengthen its operations.

In a statement, the Directorate said the move was part of ongoing administrative and organizational actions within the separatist movement. The group did not immediately provide detailed reasons for the suspension but indicated that further information would be communicated at the appropriate time.

Meanwhile, IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful, rejected the alleged suspension and dismissal of Kanu by the faction led by Chika Edoziem, and described the move as unconstitutional, null and void and a futile act by an official whose tenure has been terminated.

Kuat, in a statement released on Saturday, said Edoziem and members of the disbanded third Directorate of State (DOS) administration did not have the authority to take any action against Kanu, having been removed from office before issuing the declaration.

According to him, Kanu, acting under the authority granted to him under the movement’s Code of Ethics, recently dissolved the third DOS government led by Edoziem and inaugurated a new leadership structure, the fourth DOS government, under the leadership of Chris Nwaọgụ.

The group argued that any actions taken by Edoziem and his colleagues after the dissolution of their government were invalid because they no longer held recognized positions within the organization.

“No one can derive authority from an office that no longer exists,” the statement said.

IPOB stated that based on applicable law, only the highest leadership has the authority to appoint, remove, suspend or dissolve key officials and administrative structures within the organization.