Simon Ekpa, the self-styled leader of the Biafran Republic Government in-Exile (BRGIE) says governors in the eastern part of the country do not have the right to negotiate for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the incarcerated leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Finnish-base Ekpa made this known in a statement on X on Sunday, July 8 insisting that the governors must stay clear of negotiation for Biafra declaration.

This comment comes after South-East governors, lawmakers and other groups in the region made a push for the release of Kanu who has been in the custody of the Department of State Security (DSS) since 2022.

In a communique read by Governor Hope Uzodinma after the meeting on July 3, 2024, the governors resolved to meet with President Bola Tinubu to secure Kanu’s release.

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party also recently drummed support for the release of Kanu as a panacea to peace in the region.

However, BRGIE, headed by Ekpa, has warned the governors and the leaders against such negotiations, claiming that they lacked legitimacy.

According to him, it was only BRGIE that had the legitimate right to call for the release of Kanu and Biafra declaration.

He noted that those parading in the name of negotiating for Nnamdi Kanu’s release were sabotaging Biafra liberation.

“Those selfish politicians and traditional rulers who are now jumping up and shouting negotiation with Nigeria after sabotaging the Biafra liberation are warned never to speak again.

“The warning will not come again; none of you have the mandate to speak for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu or Biafrans.

“We will not allow anyone to negotiate anything from tonight (Sunday).

“The Biafra Republic Government In Exile remains the only legitimate entity to do that.

“Those selfish individuals now taking center stage and shouting negotiations should stay away. Biafrans are not joking”, he said.