The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has dismissed a statement by its former lawyer, Mr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, advising residents of the South-East to ignore a sit-at-home order scheduled for Monday, February 2, 2026.
The sit-at-home was declared by IPOB in solidarity with traders at the Onitsha Main Market in Anambra State, which was shut down by the state government for one week. The closure followed the traders’ alleged failure to comply with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s directive banning the observance of Monday sit-at-home in the state.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Saturday, IPOB’s spokesman, Mr Emma Powerful, said Ejiofor had no authority to speak on behalf of the group. He described the lawyer as a non-member who had already been expelled from the organisation.
The Onitsha Main Market is one of the largest commercial centres in West Africa and serves as a major source of livelihood for thousands of traders and families. In recent years, commercial activities in the South-East have been repeatedly disrupted by sit-at-home orders linked to insecurity and political agitation.
Governor Soludo has consistently opposed sit-at-home actions, arguing that they harm the region’s economy and worsen poverty. He has repeatedly warned traders and residents against observing such orders, insisting that markets and businesses must remain open on Mondays.
Last week, the Anambra State Government ordered the closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week after some traders allegedly observed sit-at-home in defiance of the governor’s directive. The government enforced the order by deploying heavily armed security operatives and armoured vehicles to the market area.
The development sparked anger among traders and pro-Biafra groups, including IPOB, which accused the state government of intimidation and excessive use of force.
In response to the market closure, IPOB announced a one-day sit-at-home across the five South-East states on Monday, February 2, 2026. According to the group, the action was meant to show solidarity with the affected traders and protest what it described as the humiliation of the business community.
However, Ejiofor, who has previously acted as legal counsel to IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, released a statement advising residents to ignore the sit-at-home. He said IPOB had since abandoned sit-at-home actions in the region and also questioned Emma Powerful’s position within the group.
Reacting to Ejiofor’s statement, Emma Powerful said the lawyer’s comments were misleading and unauthorised. He insisted that Ejiofor no longer represents IPOB in any capacity.
“The chain of command in IPOB is not a recent invention. It is as old as the movement itself. A sacked lawyer and non-member of IPOB cannot speak for the movement,” Powerful said.
He stressed that IPOB has a clear leadership structure established by its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and that only directives coming through that structure should be recognised.
Powerful highlighted that Kanu remains the supreme authority in IPOB, even while in detention. According to him, Kanu personally created various departments within the movement to ensure order and discipline.
“Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu deliberately created structured departments to manage the affairs of IPOB in moments exactly like this. His word is final. What he says is law within IPOB,” he said.
He added that Kanu appointed members of the Directorate of State (DOS) and other officials while in custody, showing that his authority remains intact.
Powerful also insisted that no statement concerning IPOB is valid unless it passes through the office of the spokesman.
“No newspaper, media house, or international platform publishes anything concerning IPOB without passing through the office of the Spokesperson. That is not arrogance; that is structure,” he said.
Explaining his role, Powerful said his duty is to communicate the instructions of IPOB’s leader and protect the integrity of the movement.
“As Spokesperson of IPOB, my duty is simple and clear: to communicate to the world the direction set by our leader, to help secure his release, and to keep the movement disciplined,” he said.
He accused Ejiofor of spreading confusion and attempting to undermine IPOB’s leadership.
Powerful clarified that the February 2 sit-at-home is a one-off action and should not be seen as a return to regular sit-at-home protests in the South-East.
“The sit-at-home scheduled for Monday, February 2, is a one-off action in direct response to Governor Soludo’s reckless intimidation of our people,” he said.
He warned against what he described as attempts by some individuals to secretly engage with the Anambra State Government in the name of IPOB without authorisation.
The IPOB spokesman alleged that some persons claiming to be members of the Directorate of State held a secret meeting with representatives of Governor Soludo. According to him, they reportedly assured the government that IPOB would not oppose the treatment of traders at the Onitsha Main Market.
Powerful dismissed such claims, saying those involved do not represent IPOB or its leader.
“Our leader has always stood with the oppressed masses, not with their tormentors,” he said.
Powerful reaffirmed IPOB’s commitment to the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in detention since 2021 while facing terrorism-related charges brought by the Federal Government.
He said the movement would not abandon its leader or its core objectives.
“Those hoping we will forget Onyendu and start chasing shadows are deluding themselves. He founded IPOB. He called us into this struggle,” Powerful said.
The latest disagreement highlights ongoing tensions in the South-East over sit-at-home actions, security, and the economic impact of political protests. While some residents support such actions as a form of protest, others blame them for business losses and rising hardship in the region.
As February 2 approaches, many residents remain uncertain about whether to open their businesses or stay at home, fearing both economic losses and possible security risks.