Nnamdi Kanu, the convicted leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and his former disciple, Chikadibia Edoziem, have announced conflicting leadership changes in the group.
Mr Kanu, who is currently serving a life sentence in Sokoto prison, reportedly dissolved the third Directorate of State (DOS) of IPOB and inaugurated the fourth DOS administration headed by Chris Nwaọgụ.
The third DOS administration was headed by Mr Edoziem, who was appointed in 2017 during Mr Kanu’s initial detention at Kuje prison.
Established in 2012 by Mr Kanu, the DOS is the administrative arm of IPOB responsible for the day-to-day operations of the group.
A statement issued on the authority of Mr Kanu announcing the change was forwarded by IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful. Kanunta Kanu, the younger brother of the IPOB leader, also posted the statement on his X handle.
According to the statement, Mr Nwaọgụ will assume immediate responsibility for the administration, coordination and day-to-day management of IPOB affairs under the authority and direction of Mr Kanu.
The statement said the dissolution of the third DOS followed a review of the movement’s performance during one of the most critical periods in its history.
It alleged that the Edoziem-led administration failed in several areas, including the welfare of detained IPOB members, protection of the group’s integrity and strategic communication platforms.
“The 4th DOS administration is mandated to rebuild confidence, restore unity and re-establish accountability, discipline and collective responsibility within IPOB,” the statement said.
In a counter statement on Thursday, Mr Edoziem rejected the dissolution of the DOS under his leadership, insisting that no individual has the authority to dissolve the body.
He described the move as null and void and announced the indefinite suspension of Mr Kanu as IPOB leader and director of Radio Biafra.
Mr Edoziem said the decision was taken during a meeting of DOS members on Wednesday as part of efforts to strengthen the group’s self-determination movement.
He claimed the action followed intelligence alleging that Mr Kanu had met with personnel of the Department of State Services and the National Intelligence Agency in Sokoto prison and reached an agreement that could compromise IPOB.
According to him, the suspension was aimed at preventing individuals or groups from committing crimes in the name of Mr Kanu or the organisation.
Reacting to the development, IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful dismissed Mr Edoziem’s claims, insisting that Mr Kanu remains the leader of the movement.
“Nnamdi Kanu has been the leader of this movement from the onset. The Edoziem-led group has been sacked,” he said.
IPOB is a separatist group seeking an independent state of Biafra from the South-east and parts of the South-south of Nigeria.
Mr Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment in November 2025 after being found guilty of terrorism charges. He is currently serving his sentence in Sokoto prison and has appealed the conviction.
Since his first arrest in 2015 and rearrest in 2021, IPOB has experienced persistent leadership disputes.
Before now, factional IPOB leader Simon Ekpa had repeatedly defied Mr Kanu’s directives, including rejecting a 2023 order to halt the enforcement of sit-at-home directives in the South-east.
Mr Ekpa was sentenced to six years imprisonment in Finland in 2025 for terrorism-related offences.
