The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has strongly reaffirmed that the sit-at-home order scheduled for Monday, February 2, 2026, remains sacrosanct and will be fully observed across the South-East region.
In a clarification statement issued on Sunday, February 1, 2026, and signed by Comrade Emma Powerful, IPOB’s Spokesperson, Media and Publicity Secretary, the group dismissed as “lies and falsehoods” recent claims suggesting the order had been cancelled or that certain individuals still speak for the organisation.
The statement accused former IPOB lawyer Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Chinasa Nworu, Chika Edoziem, and some members of the Directorate of State (DOS) of attempting to hijack the movement, undermine the leadership of detained IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and confuse the public.
“Any government or APC agent masquerading as IPOB will be exposed in due course,” the statement declared. It reiterated that Ejiofor was sacked by Kanu more than two years ago and “neither represents him nor the IPOB he leads.”
Powerful alleged that Nworu and Edoziem contacted him last week urging him to stop issuing statements highlighting Kanu’s continued detention, and when he refused, they began plotting to take over leadership and shift focus away from the detained leader.
The spokesperson specifically accused certain DOS members of compromising the struggle by holding meetings with Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo “aimed at undermining the solidarity shown to Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by the traders of Onitsha Main Market.” He described their actions as shameful and called on them to be held accountable.
Addressing viral claims that he “does not exist” or had resigned, Powerful described the rumour as “laughable” and easily disproved. “I spoke with a member of DOS two days ago in the person of Chinasa Nworu, who wants me to abandon our leader in detention,” he said. “If I do not exist, the public should ask him who he spoke to.”
He further revealed that Ejiofor personally wrote to him on Saturday requesting that the Monday sit-at-home be called off. “If I do not exist, who exactly did he write to?” Powerful asked, insisting Ejiofor has no authority in IPOB.
The statement accused “anti-Biafra forces opposed to the release of our leader” of infiltrating and hijacking online spaces using his name, the name of IPOB, and DOS to spread confusion. “These political jobbers do not work for Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and do not speak for IPOB. They will be unmasked,” Powerful warned.
He announced that he would be appearing on talk shows and granting radio and media interviews throughout Sunday and into Monday morning to further clarify the position and counter misinformation.
“Biafrans are advised to beware of charlatans, ignore misinformation, and comply with the sit-at-home order on Monday,” the statement concluded.
The clarification comes amid heightened tension and conflicting signals within pro-Biafra circles following Kanu’s continued detention by the Department of State Services (DSS) despite several court rulings ordering his release. IPOB has maintained weekly sit-at-home orders in the South-East on Mondays since 2021 as a form of protest and solidarity with Kanu.
The group’s leadership has repeatedly warned against impostors and breakaway factions attempting to issue conflicting directives in its name. The statement reinforces IPOB’s official position that only Kanu and structures directly accountable to him have authority to speak for or direct the movement.
Security agencies in the South-East have in the past described sit-at-home orders as disruptive to economic activity and public safety, while IPOB insists they are legitimate peaceful protests against Kanu’s detention and perceived marginalisation of the Igbo people.
The Monday, February 2, 2026, sit-at-home is expected to proceed as directed by the mainstream IPOB leadership under Comrade Emma Powerful’s communication.
