The internal crisis within the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) escalated further on Sunday when its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, announced the expulsion of several members associated with the dissolved 3rd Administration of the Directorate of State (DOS), the group’s highest administrative body.
This development follows Kanu’s decision on June 17, 2026, to dissolve the DOS led by Chika Edoziem and appoint a new administration headed by Chris Nwaogu. Edoziem opposed this move and, in retaliation, issued a statement purportedly suspending Kanu as the group’s leader and also announcing the suspension of IPOB spokesman Emma Powerful.
In response, IPOB, through Powerful, dismissed the suspension as invalid and reaffirmed Kanu’s authority, citing the organization’s Code of Conduct, which grants the leader exclusive power to appoint and dissolve the DOS.
In a personal statement released on June 21, 2026, Kanu, currently serving a life sentence in Sokoto prison on terrorism charges, declared the immediate and indefinite expulsion of the Edoziem-led team. The expelled individuals include Chika Edoziem, Tony Nzurumike, Austin Agbanyim, Chukwudi Oforma, Isaiah Ubah, Colins Chinedu, Chinasa Nworu, Fidelis Ejiogu, Chidinma Nworu (also known as Juliet Edward Filatro), and Keke Uda.
Kanu stated, “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 They no longer represent, speak for, or act in any capacity on behalf of the Indigenous People of Biafra.”
Providing context, Kanu explained that leadership changes in the DOS are not unprecedented. He noted that the 3rd Administration’s original six-month term expired in September 2017, and they continued in office at his pleasure. He differentiated the dissolution as an administrative action from the expulsion, which is a disciplinary measure.
Kanu emphasized that all actions were taken under the IPOB Code of Conduct, which vests authority to appoint, discipline, or expel solely in the Supreme Leader. He detailed multiple grounds for the expulsion, including: abandonment of the Supreme Leader and other Biafrans in detention without legal or medical support; countermanding his directives for fundraising when he was critically ill; undermining his legal case; making spurious allegations against his family; circulating false claims about his court case; and persistent violations of the IPOB Code of Conduct.
Kanu warned that anyone associating with or speaking on behalf of the expelled individuals would be considered acting against IPOB’s interests. He urged all genuine members and supporters to back the new 4th Administration led by Chris Nwaogu, concluding, “The movement remains resolute, focused, and united under my clear leadership and vision.”