Simon Ekpa issues fresh threats to Peter Obi supporters
Simon Ekpa, a controversial follower of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, has once again threatened supporters of Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.
He claimed Obi did not “represent Biafran interests” and should not “distort the Biafra dream,” adding that “everything will be done to fight’ Obi.
On Saturday morning, he spoke during a now-deleted live broadcast that Newsmen was watching.
Over 2,000 people participated in the broadcast, which was broadcast on Ekpa’s private Facebook account…………………..CONTINUE READING
Ekpa, who is believed to be stationed in Finland, has subsequently stated that as long as Kanu is in detention, sit-at-home in the South-East region will continue, as will elections in the region will not hold.
Kanu and the Igbo community in Finland have subsequently distanced themselves from Ekpa, claiming that he does not represent them and should not be listened to.
A petition on the worldwide petition website change.org was also established, with thousands of petitioners calling for Ekpa’s arrest and prosecution for inciting violence in the Diaspora.
Despite this, Ekpa continues to use social media to send threats to anyone ‘opposing Biafra’.
In addition, several reports have indicated that the region’s troubles have risen due to attacks and counter-attacks by gunmen, particularly against Obi’s followers, during the campaigns.
On Monday, a middle-aged man was confronted by gunmen, presumed to be IPOB militias, for wearing an LP shirt and headgear.
“What has Peter Obi done for you? If we see you with these clothes again, we will waste (kill) you,” one of the gunmen warned.
In the Saturday broadcast, Ekpa said, “All those making a case for Peter Obi. If you follow these people (Obi’s supporters), you know they are deceiving us. They want to send us to an early grave. How can you follow the advice of a confused person who doesn’t know his left from his right?
“I want you people to see the confusion in their brains. The problem is that Obi’s supporters are tribalistic. They are emotional. There is no way you want to talk about this country without making mistakes. How can they be preaching one Nigeria to us? They are not honest people. That is why we have said there will be no election in the South-East, and that is final.
“(Peter) Obi supporters don’t want to identify with the struggles of Ndigbo and they are still telling us about ‘One Nigeria’. They are deceiving themselves in this evil set-up.
“Anyone that opens their mouth to speak about Nigeria and Peter Obi is going to be exposed. All these other people supporting Obi will be disgraced. If you want Peter Obi, go and vote for him in the North. But, no election will hold in Biafraland,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the premier Igbo socio-cultural organization, has pleaded with Ekpa and his supporters to exhibit caution and sheathe their swords for the greater good.
In a short chat with Newsmen, the spokesperson for the group, Chief Alex Ogbonnia, said, “I beg our brother, Simon Ekpa, and all his followers to, please, not ruin our chances. They should sheathe their swords and allow their brothers to vote. We are all from one family and a win for Obi is a win for all Nigerians.”
