By Uchenna Ezeadigwe
Awka
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced what it describes as a formal leadership transition within its Directorate of State, stating that its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu has dissolved the movement’s third Directorate of State administration and approved the inauguration of a fourth administration headed by Chris Nwaọgụ.
In a statement issued on Monday by IPOB spokesperson and Media and Publicity Secretary Emma Powerful, the group said the decision was made in accordance with its Code of Conduct, which it described as the movement’s governing constitutional document.
According to the statement, the Code vests exclusive authority in Kanu to appoint, suspend or dismiss principal officers unless that authority is expressly delegated.
IPOB said it had formally notified members of the United Nations Security Council, as well as governments and authorities in 72 countries and territories, about the leadership change.
The organisation listed countries including Israel, Italy, Germany, Canada, Kuwait, Switzerland, South Africa, Brazil, Ghana, Russia, South Korea, Austria, India, Malaysia, Venezuela, Japan, Spain, France, Finland, Norway and Australia among those it said had received notifications.
The organisation further claimed that the new Directorate of State under Chris Nwaọgụ is now the only legitimate channel through which it will conduct its international affairs.
According to the statement, IPOB directed that only documents and official communications endorsed by Chris Nwaọgụ, whom it identified as Head of the Directorate of State, should be regarded as valid for matters relating to asylum applications, political engagements, diplomatic representations and other affairs involving its members worldwide.
The group also alleged that documents issued by individuals or bodies not authorised by the new leadership should be considered fraudulent, while warning that those involved in producing or using such documents could face legal consequences.
IPOB said administrative actions had also been taken against Collins Chineduh, whom it described as having been suspended and removed from office.
The organisation stated that German authorities had been notified of the action and that Abraham Ogbenna had been presented as the movement’s new National Coordinator for Germany.
In addition, the organisation announced plans to recover what it described as IPOB assets, funds and properties allegedly under the control of the dissolved third Directorate of State administration, saying legal and administrative processes had commenced.
The statement urged members, coordinators and supporters worldwide to disregard communications that do not originate from the office of Chris Nwaọgụ and warned against recognising officials associated with the dissolved administration.
IPOB concluded by reaffirming its commitment to what it described as the peaceful pursuit of its objectives under the leadership of Nnamdi Kanu.