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IPOB lawyer Ejiofor hails Simon Ekpa’s conviction
Ifeanyi Ejiofor, lead counsel for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), described the conviction of Simon Ekpa in Finland as a “historic lesson” against deceit, violence, and false prophecy.
Ekpa was sent to six years imprisonment on Monday in Finland.
In a detailed press release on Monday, Ejiofor commended the Finnish court’s decision and condemned Ekpa’s activities as a “fraudulent empire built on lies, violence, and exploitation.”
He accused Ekpa of misleading vulnerable supporters by establishing parallel groups such as the self-styled “Biafra Liberation Army,” damaging the reputation of the peaceful global IPOB movement.
Ejiofor claimed that Ekpa was supported, both openly and covertly, by individuals and groups aiming to disrupt the authentic self-determination struggle, sow discord, and turn Ala-Igbo into a scene of violence and intimidation.
READ ALSO: Simon Ekpa served with six-year jail term in terrorism charges in Finland
He acknowledged that at one point, Ekpa and his followers succeeded in spreading dangerous declarations widely through media, which were readily accepted by misguided individuals.
“His so-called ‘foot soldiers,’ whenever apprehended, would never mention his name or his ‘Biafra Liberation Army, BLA.’ Instead, they falsely claimed to be IPOB members, thereby tarnishing the image of a peaceful global movement. This strategic deception provided the Nigerian state with excuses to brutalise innocent and peaceful agitators and criminalise a globally recognised peaceful movement.”
Ejiofor also shared his own public opposition and sacrifices, stating, “Throughout this dangerous era, I raised my voice on every available platform, including mainstream media, warning our people to reject Simon Ekpa and his poisonous preachings. I was attacked, vilified, and branded a saboteur simply because I insisted on speaking the truth.”
He described Ekpa’s criminal enterprise as built on deceit, collecting money from naive followers while fabricating stories about warships, fighter jets, and false dates for “Biafra independence.” Ejiofor’s stance made him a target of Ekpa and his misguided supporters.
“The irony remains painful: even after each false prophecy failed, some continued to clap for him, pouring in financial contributions, while he lived in comfort abroad and our youths died at home. Educated elites who should have known better sometimes defended him, or worse, remained silent out of fear or complicity.”
Ejiofor reminded that IPOB’s leadership, under the Directorate of State, consistently condemned Ekpa’s violent actions and distanced the peaceful global movement from him. Yet, Ekpa continued to receive covert backing from some individuals, some of whom now vocally call for his punishment. Their earlier silence is a betrayal that history will remember.
Reflecting on the conviction, Ejiofor said, “Simon Ekpa’s conviction under a jurisdiction that respects human rights and the rule of law offers deep lessons. It demonstrates that no amount of lies, propaganda, or fraudulent appeals to ‘self-determination’ can shield a criminal enterprise built on fraud, bloodshed, and deception.”
He urged the public to think critically and question Ekpa’s claims, noting that no reasonable person should have believed his stories about warships and combat jets in Igbo land. The entire scheme was a scam designed to exploit the people he claimed to free.
“Even now, some of his misguided followers are being deceived into believing that his conviction somehow ‘upheld his right to self-determination.’ That is false. The court never upheld any such right because his trial and conviction were never about his purported right to self-determination. Rather, the court convicted him of fraud, deception, and actions that funded violence against the same people he professed to defend. That is the height of criminality.”
Ejiofor lamented the human cost of Ekpa’s actions: “The chickens have indeed come home to roost. But what about the thousands of lives that have been wasted as a result of Ekpa’s poisonous preachings? Many of his misguided followers languish in detention without trial. Many more were killed extrajudicially. Their parents and families remain in pain.”
He criticized the lawyers who secretly associated with Ekpa but never openly defended his followers or sought their release, leaving victims abandoned while Ekpa prospered abroad.
Calling for a fresh start, Ejiofor declared: “It is time for stock-taking. Time to reject criminality, fraud, and blackmail as tools of agitation. Time to rise above emotional manipulation and stand firmly for truth, justice, and peaceful struggle. Ekpa may be convicted today, but the scars of his deceit and the devastation left behind will take years to cleanse from Ala-Igbo.”
He concluded with a warning: “Let the lesson be clear to all: no legitimate struggle for liberation can be built on deceit, fraud, and violence against one’s own people. Those who still glorify Ekpa or tread his path are not freedom fighters. They are merchants of death. The future of Ala-Igbo must never again be left in the hands of impostors who exploit the pain of their people for personal gain.”
“May Chukwu Okike Abiama, whose holy name has been shamelessly invoked by both the righteous and the fraudulent, deliver our land and guide our people into light, wisdom, and peace.”
All nominees have been directed to report to the Department of State Services (DSS) office in Ijebu-Ode for further instructions instead of the planned meet-and-greet with Awujale candidates earlier scheduled to take place at the Aafin Awujale.
The directive came via the Awujale Kingmakers Council which officially cancelled the event in a formal letter dated January 20, 2026, addressed to the Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Otunba Lateef Owoyemi, his deputy, Otunba Dokun Ajidagba; and the Vice Chairman, Prof. Fassy Yusuf, outlining the sudden change in plans.
The council, which explained that the decision to redirect nominees to the DSS office made the earlier engagement at the Aafin Awujale unnecessary, specifically emphasised that all nominees were required to present themselves at the DSS office located along NTA Road, beside the State Psychiatric Hospital, off Igbeba Road, Ijebu-Ode, by 11:00 am prompt on Wednesday.
While the letter also emphasised strict compliance and punctuality, underscoring the importance of adhering to official directives, the council expressed regret for any inconvenience the cancellation might cause, highlighting that the decision was necessary to align with security and administrative protocols.
The formal notice, which was signed by Chief Ayotunde Ola Odulaja, Secretary of the Awujale Afobaje Council, urged all concerned parties to comply fully with the instructions, adding that nominees and associated stakeholders were expected to adhere strictly to the directive, reporting promptly and avoiding delays.
By denying the abduction of 177 Christian worshippers in Kaduna last Sunday, the Nigerian Police have dealt a heavy blow to their reputation as an organinsation that embodies public trust, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), said on Wednesday.
Joseph Hayab, Chairman of Can in Northern Nigeria, who carpeted the police authorities in Kaduna for denying the abduction of the worshippers of the ECWA and Cherubim and Seraphin Churches, in the heavily troubled state, spoke against the U-turn by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), which has since confirmed incidence.
Hayab, told his hosts while appearing on Sunrise Daily, a breakfast progrmme on Channels Television: “The manner the police commissioner and other security agencies came out to outrightly say that this thing did not happen to me it’s a total disappointment, a total failure, and it’s just increased the lack of trust that exists between the people and those who are securing them.
The confirmation of the heist came on the heels of the release of the identities of the victims, said to have been kidnapped in Kurmin Wali community of Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna made headlines on Sunday.
Though both the Kaduna State Police Command and the Kaduna State Government had initially said the incident did not happen, Benjamin Hundeyin, spokesman of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), made the confirmation on Tuesday in a statement, saying: “verification from operational units and intelligence sources has confirmed that the incident did occur.”
He however exculpated both the police and the government of blame, saying their comments over the incident were intended to prevent unnecessary panic while facts were being confirmed.
His words: “Those remarks, which have since been widely misinterpreted, were not a denial of the incident but a measured response pending confirmation of details from the field, including the identities and number of those affected.”
But pooh-poohing the contention, Hayab, said: “Look at the time they were using in denial. That time they’re supposed to be using for pursuing the bandits, but they chose to allow the bandits to have gone far before they are coming to acknowledge that the information we give them is true and remain true.”
By Okey Okwusogu
In the evolving political landscape of Nigeria, concerns are mounting that the country may be inching toward a de facto one-party state under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Since his inauguration in May 2023, a wave of high-profile defections from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has reshaped the nation’s multiparty democracy. Governors from states like Delta, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Plateau, and Taraba have crossed over, swelling APC’s ranks to potentially 28 governors.
This trend, coupled with allegations of federal interference in opposition crises, has sparked debates about the erosion of political pluralism and the risks of authoritarian consolidation. While APC officials dismiss these claims as baseless, insisting there’s no plot to monopolize power, critics like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar warn of an “existential threat” to democracy, potentially leading to a civilian dictatorship.
This shift raises a critical question: If Nigeria solidifies into a one-party dominant system, could it face the kind of revolutionary upheaval or overthrow seen in other nations historically? Drawing from past examples of one-party states crumbling under popular pressure, this article explores the possibilities, weighing Nigeria’s unique context against global precedents.
The Current Trajectory: From Multiparty Vibrancy to APC Hegemony?
Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999 marked the end of military rule, ushering in a competitive multiparty system. However, under the current dispensation the terrain to some Nigerians is being viewed as opaque from an oblique perspective, the political arena appears increasingly lopsided to most critic.
Defections are often attributed to patronage, protection from investigations, or alignment ahead of the 2027 elections, rather than ideological shifts. For instance, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s recent switch to APC followed intense political pressure, including suspensions and reinstatements, fueling accusations of intimidation. Similarly, Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s defection in early 2026 has been cited as evidence of a broader strategy to consolidate power.
Opposition figures argue this is not mere political maneuvering but a deliberate push toward one-party rule. Atiku has accused the administration of “shrinking democratic space” by weakening rivals like the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) through engineered internal conflicts. Even within the PDP, former chairman Umar Damagum alleged leadership’s camp was fueling divisions to pave the way for unchallenged dominance.Social media echoes these fears, with users warning that Nigeria risks becoming “a one-party system like Lagos under Tinubu’s long influence. “Proponents of this view point to past statements, including skepticism about “one Nigeria,” as indicators of a deeper agenda.
Yet, not all see doom. APC chieftains like Senator Magnus Abe counter that defections are voluntary and reflect effective governance, not coercion. They argue Nigeria is experiencing “dominant-party politics” rather than outright one-party rule, a phase seen in other democracies like South Africa under the ANC. Tinubu himself has publicly disavowed support for a one-party state, emphasizing democratic choice. Still, with economic hardships—rising inflation, fuel subsidies removal, and currency devaluation—exacerbating public discontent, the stage is set for potential unrest if opposition voices are further marginalized.
Historical Precedents: When One-Party States Collapse
History offers stark lessons on how entrenched one-party systems can unravel through revolutions or uprisings. The most salient examples come from the Revolutions of 1989 in Eastern Europe, where communist one-party regimes, backed by Soviet influence, fell amid economic stagnation and popular demands for freedom.
In East Germany, the Socialist Unity Party’s monopoly crumbled under peaceful protests known as the Peaceful Revolution. Starting with small demonstrations in 1989, they swelled into millions, culminating in the Berlin Wall’s fall and reunification with West Germany. Key factors included economic decline, loss of legitimacy, and Gorbachev’s Soviet reforms withdrawing external support.
Czechoslovakia’s Velvet Revolution followed a similar non-violent path. Student-led protests and a general strike in November 1989 forced the Communist Party to cede power, installing dissident Václav Havel as president. Here, civil society mobilization and elite defections were pivotal.
Romania’s case was bloodier: Widespread protests in December 1989 escalated into armed clashes, leading to the execution of dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu and the end of the Romanian Communist Party’s rule. Repression backfired, turning public anger into violent overthrow.
Poland’s transition began earlier with the Solidarity movement in the 1980s, evolving into semi-free elections in 1989 that dismantled the Polish United Workers’ Party’s dominance. Economic crises and worker strikes eroded the regime’s base.
Beyond communism, Portugal’s 1974 Carnation Revolution saw a military coup, backed by civilian protests, topple the authoritarian Estado Novo—a de facto one-party system under the National Union. Economic woes from colonial wars and public fatigue with repression fueled the change.
These cases illustrate that one-party states are vulnerable when faced with economic hardship, loss of external backing, internal divisions, and sustained mobilization. Peaceful revolutions succeeded where civil society was organized, while violence erupted in more repressive contexts.
Possibilities in Nigeria: Revolution or Resilient Dominance?
Applying these lessons to Nigeria, the prospects of a revolution or overthrow hinge on several factors. First, economic distress mirrors the 1989 triggers: Tinubu’s reforms, while aimed at long-term stability, have inflicted immediate pain, with inflation soaring and poverty deepening. Past protests like #EndSARS in 2020 demonstrated Nigerians’ capacity for mass action against perceived injustices, potentially amplifying if one-party dominance stifles accountability.
Second, opposition fragmentation could either prevent or provoke upheaval. If defections continue, reducing viable alternatives, it might lead to apathy or radicalization. Critics warn of a “Machiavellian approach” where Tinubu “pockets” politicians, but this could alienate the public if policies fail to deliver. A united opposition coalition, as suggested by some, involving figures like Atiku, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso under a neutral platform, might counter this—but disunity risks ceding ground.
Third, Nigeria’s diversity—ethnic, religious, and regional—complicates one-party consolidation. Unlike Eastern Europe’s homogeneous regimes, attempts to centralize power could ignite sectional tensions, as seen in warnings that “Nigeria is not Lagos. Historical military coups in Africa, like those in Sierra Leone or Gambia, often ended one-party eras, but Nigeria’s post-1999 stability suggests civilian uprisings or elite pacts are more likely.
However, revolution isn’t inevitable. Nigeria’s judiciary, media, and civil society remain robust, potentially checking excesses. If Tinubu’s administration delivers on infrastructure and security, dominance could endure without backlash, akin to long-ruling parties elsewhere. Yet, as one analyst notes, “a one-party system is the most dangerous” for democracy, risking complacency and corruption.
A Crossroads for Nigerian Democracy
Nigeria’s potential slide into one-party dominance under Tinubu evokes the fragility of systems like those in 1989 Eastern Europe. While peaceful revolutions there show people power can prevail, Nigeria’s context—marked by economic volatility and diverse interests—could either foster similar change or entrench the status quo. The key lies in whether public discontent translates into organized action or dissipates amid patronage. As history warns, ignoring these signs risks not just political monopoly, but the explosive unrest that follows. For now, the nation watches, hoping pluralism endures.
*Okwusogu, an intelligence analyst wrote in from Abuja, Nigeria
Awujale nominees ordered to report at DSS, as council cancels meet and great event
Kaduna 177: Lying to Nigerians, a disgrace, heavy blow to police – CAN
Nigeria’s drift toward one-party dominance: Lessons from history and the specter of revolution
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