Ohanaeze Clarifies Position, Reveals ‘Authentic’ IPOB Leader After Purported Suspension of Nnamdi Kanu

• Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has dismissed reports that IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu has been suspended, describing the claims as unofficial and lacking legitimacy.

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has rejected reports claiming that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has been suspended from his position, insisting that such claims have no legitimacy or community backing.

The group said the reports, which have generated anxiety among Igbo communities at home and in the diaspora, are unofficial and should not be regarded as a valid reflection of the leadership structure within the pro-Biafra movement.

In a statement jointly signed by the Deputy President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and the Deputy Secretary-General, Prof. Chibuikeya Achoakawa, the organisation stressed that any purported suspension of Kanu lacks institutional recognition.

“The alleged suspension of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is recognized, not validated, and holds no institutional or communal legitimacy within its purview,” the statement said.

Ohanaeze specifically dismissed actions attributed to certain aggrieved members, including Chika Edozien and his associates, maintaining that such moves cannot alter the recognised leadership status of Kanu within the IPOB structure.

According to the group, “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu remains a central and widely acknowledged leadership figure associated with the Indigenous People of Biafra.”

The organisation went further to describe Kanu as the authentic leader of IPOB, warning that ongoing internal disagreements could undermine the relative peace and stability that have returned to the South-East in recent months.

Ohanaeze noted that the region has witnessed noticeable improvements in security and economic activities over the past eleven months, leading to increased farming activities, the revival of cultural festivals, improved commercial operations, and renewed investor confidence.

It cautioned that these gains remain fragile and could be reversed if internal conflicts within pro-Biafra groups escalate into wider tensions.

“The gains recorded across the region remain delicate and must not be undermined by avoidable internal disputes or inflammatory narratives,” the group warned.

To preserve the progress made in the region, Ohanaeze urged aggrieved IPOB members and stakeholders to embrace dialogue and peaceful engagement as the preferred means of resolving disagreements.

The organisation emphasized that disputes should be handled through established channels rather than public confrontations that could heighten insecurity and create fresh tensions within communities.

DON’T MISS: BREAKING: ‘Repentant’ Bandits Kill Grandson of District Heads, Abduct Nine Others in Fresh Kaduna Attacks

“Dialogue remains the most viable and sustainable pathway to conflict resolution. Internal disputes must not be allowed to escalate into public tension or communal insecurity. All grievances should be addressed through structured engagement and a peaceful reconciliation mechanism,” the statement added.

Ohanaeze also disclosed that it remains actively engaged in consultations aimed at fostering unity among Igbo stakeholders and supporting ongoing efforts to secure the release of detained pro-Biafra agitators.

The group reaffirmed its commitment to protecting peace and stability in the South-East, stressing that it would not support any actions capable of reigniting insecurity or disrupting the region’s social and economic progress.

The statement comes amid growing debate over recent claims by a faction within IPOB announcing the suspension of Kanu, a move that has triggered mixed reactions among supporters of the movement and stakeholders across the South-East.