Supporters of Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed leader of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, gathered in Lahti, Finland, on Friday to declare the formation of the “United States of Biafra.”
The event, tagged “Biafra Mass Exodus 2024,” drew significant attention after videos circulating on social media earlier in the week showed an influx of Nigerians arriving in Finland to participate.
The conference comes days after Finnish authorities arrested Ekpa on charges of incitement to violence and terrorism financing.
Despite his detention, his followers pushed forward with their agenda.
According to Punch, an X user, @DOlewunne, tweeted, “Huge in Finland Under His Excellency the Prime Minister of Biafra Simon Ekpa (sic). The re-declaration of the Independent State of Biafra/United States of Biafra is in full swing. This historic independent moment is championed by the People of Biafra. We are a Nation! (sic).”
The convener of the convention, who introduced herself as the Chief of Staff of the United States of Biafra and the organiser of the Biafra Declaration of the Restoration of the United States of Biafra Convention 2024 in Finland, is Dr Ngozi Orabueze.
Punch noted that several online sources revealed that Orabueze is a family nurse practitioner in Atlanta, Georgia, with expertise in treating diabetes, bipolar disorder, and depression, among other conditions.
Ekpa appointed her in March 2023 as Minister of Health, Oil and Gas, Biafra Republic Government in Exile.
Orabueze, who has over 17,500 followers on X and more than 12,000 on Facebook, wrote on November 27 that the convention would take place in Lahti and would kick off with a live X Space event.
On 28 November, she wrote, “Biafrans are trooping into Finland in droves ahead of the re-declaration of the independent state of Biafra,” attaching a video of a large Igbo-speaking crowd awaiting clearance at the Finnish airport.
On Friday afternoon, Orabueze posted on her verified X handle, @ngoziora, that Biafrans had declared an independent state and would now use their own currency (Biafra coins) and time (Biafra time), notifying the Nigerian government and the international community.
The declaration of Biafra’s independence, initially slated by Ekpa for December 2, faced some setbacks following Ekpa’s arrest and prosecution by the Finnish government.
Orabueze wrote, “Breaking: It is done. Biafrans in Finland for the declaration of the independent United States of Biafra. Power belongs to the people.” She later added Biafra has been re-declared today, 29th of November 2024, by Ngozi Orabueze, the Chief of Staff, United States of Biafra. Congratulations to all Biafrans all over the world.”
Before the declaration, a video of Ekpa addressing the audience was played online.
Ekpa stated, “We were free before Lord Lugard came. If you want the oil, take it and leave us alone. We are tired of living as baboons and monkeys. We want to be given the opportunity to practise what we have studied.”
As the video ended, the audience began to chant, “USB, USB, USB,” meaning the United States of Biafra.
Afterwards, Orabueze, taking the oath of office, listed the states within the newly re-declared United States of Biafra.
These included Anambra State, Okigwe State, Nnewi State, Ogoni State, Opobo State, Ikwerre State, Etche State, Okrika State, Ngwa State, Orlu State, among others. The crowd cheered her on in both Igbo and English.
After the declaration, the crowd sang an Igbo song, “Biafra aga’m arapu gi,” translating to “Biafra, I will never let you go.”
Earlier, in videos and photos shared on X, several members of the group claimed they had just landed at the Finnish airport in Helsinki.
A woman, @Charedims, who took a video while on a flight, said, “Biafrans all over the world from different continents everywhere are converging on Lahti for the convention.
“On December 2, when all votes are counted and collated, a mandate will be given to our prime minister, Simon Ekpa Njoku, who is currently answering some questions with the Finnish authorities; when the votes are counted, he will then declare the restore of the independent state of Biafra, which means he has the legal rights to get us Biafra. That is why you are seeing everybody jumping up and down.”
