The neutrality of this article is disputed. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please do not remove this message until conditions to do so are met. (February 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
Simon Ekpa
Born (1985-03-21) 21 March 1985 (age 39)[1]
Ohaukwu, Ebonyi State[1]
NationalityBiafran
CitizenshipFinnish
Occupation(s)Lawyer, Politician
Years active2021–present
Political partyNational Coalition Party
MovementLiberation of Biafra
AwardsAmbassador for Peace
Websiteenterbiafra.com biafrarepublicgov.org

Simon Ekpa (born 21 March 1985) is a Finnish lawyer, political activist and former athlete. He is one of the current leaders of the Biafra independence movement,[2][3]and is the Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE).[4]

Life

Ekpa was born on 21 March 1985 in Ohaukwu local government area of Ebonyi State.[5][1] Prior to his activism, he won a silver medal for Nigeria in 100 meters in the 2003 African Junior Athletics Championships in Cameroon.[1] Ekpa has lived in Lahti, Finland since 2007. He is a member of the National Coalition Party of Finland, and was a candidate in the 2022 Finnish county elections.[6]

According to reporting by Yle, Simon Ekpa's activism started to gather mainstream attention in February 2023. Finland, with calls to investigate his activities and to determine if his alleged incitement fills the legal definitions for incitement against ethnic groups. The local Kokoomus parti in Lahti stated that they have started an internal investigation of these claims. Orji Anya Odim, representing the association Igbo Union Finland, stated in the same interview, "He should stop inciting hatred and provoking. Ekpa does not represent the Igbo people of Finland".[7] The Nigerian government has also demanded Finland stop Ekpa's activities.[8] Many live in fear in Nigeria of Ekpa. Yle travelled to Enugu to interview locals. When Ekpa has issued "stay at home" orders involving the coming Nigerian election, many in Enugu seem to heed this. Some, however, said they would go despite the stay at home orders.[9] In late February 2023 Yle reported Ekpa is being suspected of having raised funds in an illegal manner, by the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation.[10] On 25th of May 2023 at the African Day Celebration in Helsinki Finland, the Universal Peace Federation awarded Ekpa Ambassador for Peace.[2]

Career

Ekpa rose to prominence when he was made lead broadcaster for Radio Biafra, associated with the separatist organisation Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) after the arrest of political activist Nnamdi Kanu.[1][11] However, Ekpa was not allowed to Broadcast on Radio[12] citing violation of the rules of the organisation.[13]

As of 2023, he has been called the Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE). The Nigerian Daily Post has in different articles referred to him both as "Prime Minister" and "self-acclaimed Prime Minister".[14][4][15] Ekpa stated in 2023 that "Biafra Republic Government In-Exile is registered, approved and legal. Agent of Nigeria"take note[16] on 12th of June 2023 Ekpa declared that Biafra territory will not observe Nigeria democracy day celebration and declared sit at home in Biafra that recorded 100% compliance.[17] The BRGIE headed by Ekpa as Prime Minister seems to control Biafra territory, has more control than the government of Nigeria and enjoys the loyalty of most Biafrans both in homeland and in diaspora.[18]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e TheCable (8 December 2021). "CLOSE-UP: Simon Ekpa, Nnamdi Kanu's Finland-based disciple and king of fake news". TheCable. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Simon Ekpa sai "rauhanlähettiläs-palkinnon" Helsingissä – Lahdessa asuva liikemies tunnetaan nigerialaisten lietsomisesta kapinaan". Yle Uutiset (in Finnish). 2023-06-01. Retrieved 2023-06-09.
  3. ^ "Simon Ekpa: Nigeria's Ipob faction leader arrested in Finland". BBC News. 2023-02-23. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  4. ^ a b Ariemu, Ogaga (24 May 2023). "Nnamdi Kanu in severe pain, needs urgent ear surgery - Ekpa raises alarm". Daily Post (Nigeria). Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  5. ^ Sobowale, Rasheed (16 April 2022). "Violence in South East: Who's Simon Ekpa?". Vanguard. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  6. ^ Parkkari, Jani (16 February 2023). "Lahtelainen kunnallispoliitikko johtaa aseellista kapinaa Nigeriassa – määrännyt miljoonat ihmiset boikotoimaan vaaleja" (in Finnish). Yle. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  7. ^ Original quote "Hänen tulisi lopettaa vihan lietsominen ja provosointi. Ekpa ei edusta Suomen igboja", https://yle.fi/a/74-20018561
  8. ^ "Hämeen kokoomus selvittää separatistijohtaja Simon Ekpan toimintaa Nigeriassa – Suomessa asuvat maanmiehet irtisanoutuvat väkivallasta". Yle Uutiset (in Finnish). 2023-02-17. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
  9. ^ "Yle Nigeriassa: Miljoonat pysyvät kotona joka maanantai, kun Simon Ekpa Lahdesta käskee – pelko on seudulla kouriintuntuvaa". Yle Uutiset (in Finnish). 2023-02-18. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
  10. ^ https://yle.fi/a/74-20019590
  11. ^ "Ihe Finland kwuru maka ebubo na Simon Ekpa na-akpalite tigbuo-zogbuo n'Ọwụwa Anyanwụ". BBC News Ìgbò (in Igbo). 2023-01-21. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
  12. ^ Njoku, Lawrence (22 July 2021). "IPOB sacks Simon Ekpa as Radio Biafra broadcaster". The Guardian. Enugu. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  13. ^ Reporters, Sahara (26 May 2022). "EXCLUSIVE: IPOB Accuses Nnamdi Kanu's Self-proclaimed Disciple, Simon Ekpa Of Working With Nigerian Politicians, Security Agencies To Kill Igbo People". Sahara Reporters. New York. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  14. ^ "Nnamdi Kanu's 'Disciple', Ekpa Writes UN, Announces Himself As Prime Minister Of Biafra Government In Exile, Lists Other Ministers, Office Holders | Sahara Reporters". saharareporters.com. 13 April 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  15. ^ Ariemu, Ogaga (5 June 2023). "Sit-at-home: Ekpa knocks Mbah, claims governor disgraced". Daily Post (Nigeria). Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  16. ^ Ariemu, Ogaga (23 May 2023). "Nnamdi Kanu happy with Biafra Republic Government in Exile - Ekpa insists". Daily Post (Nigeria). Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  17. ^ Ariemu, Ogaga (2023-06-12). "No more Democracy Day celebration in Southeast - Ekpa declares". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  18. ^ Ariemu, Ogaga (2023-06-05). "Sit-at-home: Ekpa knocks Mbah, claims governor disgraced". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
Categories