IPOB Faults AP Over ‘Coordinated Disinformation’, Reaffirms Simon Ekpa Not a Member

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused the Associated Press (AP) of engaging in a calculated campaign of disinformation aimed at tarnishing the image of the group and its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The group faulted AP for linking it to the recent conviction of Simon Ekpa in Finland, stressing that Ekpa has never been a member of IPOB.

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Comrade Emma Powerful, IPOB alleged that the report was part of a wider, coordinated global effort “spearheaded by the United Kingdom in aid of Nigeria” to discredit the movement, polish the image of the Nigerian government, and influence Kanu’s ongoing trial in Abuja.

“The attention of IPOB has been drawn to yet another vile and malicious publication—this time from the Associated Press (AP)—seeking to manipulate global perception by falsely connecting IPOB and our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to the conviction of Simon Ekpa in Finland,” the statement read.

Powerful emphasised that Ekpa, convicted last month by a Finnish court, has no ties to the movement.

“Simon Ekpa is not, and has never been, a member or leader of IPOB. This is not speculation—it is on court record. Through due legal process, IPOB has repeatedly disowned Simon Ekpa both in Nigerian courts and in foreign jurisdictions,” he said.

He further alleged that the attempt to link IPOB to Ekpa was a deliberate ploy to sway public opinion and potentially influence the outcome of Kanu’s case, scheduled to continue on October 10 before Justice James Omotosho.

“Any effort to force a connection between IPOB and his personal actions, with the aim of influencing Hon. Justice James Omotosho, is wicked, dishonest, and mischievous,” he added.

The group reaffirmed that IPOB is a lawful and globally recognised self-determination movement with structures across the world. It said IPOB is registered in more than 60 countries and operates openly in over 100 territories.

“IPOB is a lawful global self-determination movement. No other nation on earth designates IPOB as a terrorist organisation except confused Janjaweed irredentists and their desperate Southern collaborators. Only Nigeria persists in its futile attempt to stigmatise Biafra’s legitimate struggle, even when its laws recognise the right of Indigenous peoples to agitate for self-determination,” the group declared.

On Ekpa’s conviction, IPOB maintained that it was a personal matter concerning him and his faction.

“The conviction of Simon Ekpa is personal to him and has nothing to do with IPOB. He created his own group called Autopilot Government In Exile. Yet, media outlets like AP deliberately twist facts to suit their sponsors. Their dishonesty is obvious to anyone who checks official records,” Powerful said.

The group also criticised global media and technology platforms for what it described as complicity in Nigeria’s propaganda against IPOB, accusing them of relying on compromised local sources.

“If international media continue to depend on Nigerians—who are easily compromised by the broken system—to file reports about IPOB, then fraudulent interpretations of the truth will persist,” Powerful warned.

He accused Western media of double standards, noting that while a Canadian court ruled Nigeria’s APC and PDP as terror organisations, AP and its allies ignored the story.

“But when it concerns IPOB—peaceful and law-abiding—they spare no effort to smear us,” he stated.

The statement linked the AP report to a wider disinformation campaign ahead of Kanu’s trial, recalling similar events before his abduction in Kenya in 2021.

“Just as Wikipedia was manipulated in June 2021 to pave the way for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s abduction, we are again witnessing fresh disinformation timed to coincide with the critical stage of his trial,” IPOB said. “This is not journalism—it is psychological warfare.”

The group urged the public and international media to resist false narratives, vowing to defend its reputation with evidence.

“The ongoing effort to stain IPOB’s clean image is not about facts—it is about silencing a lawful struggle and sustaining Nigeria’s military occupation of Biafra land. We call on responsible journalists worldwide to resist being used as tools of imperial disinformation. IPOB will continue to defend our movement with truth and evidence,” Powerful concluded.