IPOB says only Nnamdi Kanu can appoint or remove principal officers

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has declared that all actions taken by the dissolved third administration of its Directorate of State (DOS), led by Chika Edoziem, are illegal, null and void, while reaffirming that its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, remains the only person empowered to appoint or remove principal officers of the separatist movement.

A statement issued by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful on Friday and made available to Tribune Online in Abuja said Kanu had exercised powers conferred on him by the IPOB Code of Conduct to dissolve the third DOS administration and inaugurate a fourth administration headed by United States-based Mazi Chris Nwaọgụ.

According to the statement, the decision was “lawful, final, binding, and immediately effective upon its announcement.”

The statement followed Edoziem’s rejection of the dissolution insisting he remains the head of the group. IPOB warned against dealing with him insisting any action taken by the dissolved leadership lacks legal backing within the organisation.

IPOB condemned “Chika Edoziem and certain members of his dissolved administration” purportedly for issuing a “statement suspending the Office of the Supreme Leader and the Director of Radio Biafra.”

“Such action is not merely irregular; it is illegal, unconstitutional, null, void, and of no effect whatsoever. No person can derive authority from an office that has already ceased to exist,” the statement read.

IPOB cited its Code of Conduct to support its position, arguing that the authority to appoint, suspend or dismiss principal officers is vested solely in Kanu.

Quoting Section II, Subsection A of the Code, the group stated: “The power to appoint, suspend or dismiss erring Principal officers vest exclusively on the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu except and to the extent he clearly and expressly delegates that power to any other principal officer” adding that the provision leaves no room for interpretation.

“The language of the Code is clear, mandatory, and admits no ambiguity. The authority to appoint, suspend, dismiss, or dissolve principal officers and administrative structures resides exclusively in the Office of the Supreme Leader. No Coordinator, Principal Officer, Directorate, Committee, or collective body possesses any constitutional authority to suspend, remove or overrule the Supreme Leader.”

The organisation described the alleged suspension of Kanu’s office as “a legal impossibility within the framework of IPOB’s governing laws.”

The statement further accused Edoziem and members of the dissolved administration of serious violations of the movement’s constitution, including gross insubordination, constitutional misconduct, abuse of office, attempted usurpation of powers, sabotage of the command-and-control structure and conduct capable of undermining organisational discipline.

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“Rather than accept a lawful dissolution and hand over responsibilities in accordance with established procedures, these individuals chose the path of rebellion against the very authority from which they previously derived their legitimacy. No organisation can survive if those removed from office are permitted to sit in judgment over the authority that appointed them,” IPOB said.

The group stressed that the third DOS administration no longer exists and warned members across the world against recognising directives issued by the former leadership.

“The 3rd Administration of the Directorate of State no longer exists. Its tenure has been terminated by lawful authority and its powers extinguished. Consequently, any directive, instruction, statement, appointment, suspension, or administrative action purportedly issued by Chika Edoziem or any member of the dissolved administration after its dissolution is null, void and incapable of creating any legal or organisational consequence within IPOB,” the statement added.

While advising members to disregard all such communications, it appealed to journalists and media organisations to verify the authenticity of statements attributed to the group, insisting that only communications issued through recognised channels represent its official position.

“The media is urged to exercise caution and responsibility when reporting on matters concerning IPOB. Statements originating from individuals who no longer hold recognised authority within the movement should not be presented as official IPOB positions.

“Authentic IPOB communications are disseminated only through duly authorised channels and officially endorsed by the recognised leadership of the movement.

“The era of indiscipline, constitutional recklessness, and unauthorised power-grabbing within IPOB is over. The authority of the Supreme Leader remains supreme, unquestionable, and binding on all members,” the statement concluded.