In a significant development within the Biafran separatist movement, the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE) has officially relieved Simon Ekpa of his leadership role as Prime Minister.
The decision was made by the BRGIE cabinet on January 14, 2026, with Ogechukwu Nkere unanimously elected as the new Prime Minister. This change comes amid Ekpa's continued detention in Finland, where he was sentenced to six years in prison on September 1, 2025, following a conviction on terrorism-related charges.
A statement released by the group on Thursday (January 16, 2026) confirmed the transition:“On January 14, 2026, the Honorable Ogechukwu Nkere was unanimously elected by the cabinet of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE) to serve as Prime Minister, succeeding Simon Ekpa Njoku, who was relieved of his position by the cabinet.”
Nkere, who has been serving as Acting Prime Minister since December 2024 (following Ekpa's detention in late 2024), brings prior experience to the role. He previously held positions as BRGIE's finance minister and served as the organization's longtime representative in Washington, DC.
In that capacity, he engaged with U.S. officials, including meetings with Senator Ted Cruz and House Speaker Mike Johnson.Ekpa, a prominent Biafran separatist figure and self-styled leader of BRGIE, has been a controversial personality in the broader push for Biafran independence.
His faction operated separately from the main Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) group led by Nnamdi Kanu, with IPOB repeatedly disavowing any connection to Ekpa or BRGIE, describing him as never having been a formal member.
The leadership change reflects the group's efforts to maintain operations and international advocacy despite Ekpa's imprisonment, as his appeal process in Finland is not expected to conclude until at least April or May 2026.
This move has sparked varied reactions among supporters on social media, with some expressing loyalty to Ekpa and others urging unity behind the new leadership to advance the cause of Biafran self-determination.
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