Supporters of Simon Ekpa, a self-declared leader of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, gathered in Lahti, Finland, on Friday to formally announce the formation of the “United States of Biafra,” further advancing their separatist agenda......Read The Full Article>>.....Read The Full Article>>
The event, titled Biafra Mass Exodus 2024, drew significant attention after videos circulating on social media earlier in the week showed a growing influx of Nigerians, particularly from the Igbo community, arriving in Finland to participate in the convention.
The convention took place just days after Finnish authorities arrested Ekpa on charges of incitement to violence and terrorism financing. Despite his detention, his followers remained determined to proceed with their plans. The event was widely publicized on social media, with one notable post from an X (formerly Twitter) user, @DOlewunne, reading, “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 convention was organized by Dr. Ngozi Orabueze, who introduced herself as the Chief of Staff of the United States of Biafra and the convener of the Biafra Declaration of the Restoration of the United States of Biafra Convention 2024 in Finland. Orabueze, a family nurse practitioner based in Atlanta, Georgia, who specializes in treating various conditions such as diabetes, bipolar disorder, and depression, was appointed in March 2023 by Ekpa to serve as the Minister of Health, Oil, and Gas for the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile.
Orabueze, who has a significant following on X (over 17,500 followers) and Facebook (over 12,000 followers), took to social media to announce the event. On November 27, she posted that the convention would kick off in Lahti, beginning with a live X Space event. The next day, she shared a video showing a large crowd of Igbo-speaking people gathered at the Finnish airport, awaiting clearance to attend the event, captioning it with, “Biafrans are trooping into Finland in droves ahead of the re-declaration of the independent state of Biafra.”
By Friday afternoon, Orabueze posted an update on her verified X handle (@ngoziora), declaring that Biafrans in Finland had successfully declared an independent state, with plans to introduce their own currency (Biafra coins) and time zone (Biafra time). She further notified both the Nigerian government and the international community of the declaration. Orabueze also reaffirmed the declaration of Biafra’s independence, originally scheduled for December 2, 2024, but accelerated due to Ekpa’s arrest and prosecution.
“Breaking: It is done. Biafrans in Finland for the declaration of the independent United States of Biafra. Power belongs to the people,” Orabueze declared in a post. She later updated her followers, stating, “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.”
Prior to the formal declaration, a video of Ekpa addressing the audience was shared online. In his message, Ekpa voiced his grievances with Nigeria, stating, “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 crowd erupted in chants of “USB, USB, USB,” referring to the United States of Biafra.
Following the video, Orabueze, who had taken an oath of office, named the states that would be part of the newly 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, and Orlu State, among others. The crowd cheered and sang songs in both Igbo and English, expressing their excitement and support for the declaration.
As part of the buildup to the event, videos and photos shared on X showed a number of attendees claiming to have just arrived at the Finnish airport in Helsinki. A woman, @Charedims, who shared a video from her flight, remarked, “Biafrans all over the world from different continents everywhere are converging on Lahti for the convention.”
Looking ahead, some members of the group have expressed their belief that Ekpa’s upcoming mandate will legitimize the declaration of an independent Biafra. On December 2, 2024, they anticipate that the final votes will be counted, empowering Ekpa to formally declare the restoration of the independent state of Biafra. A supporter commented, “When the votes are counted, [Ekpa] will then declare the restoration 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.”
Despite the legal and political challenges surrounding this declaration, the event in Finland marks a significant moment in the ongoing Biafra separatist movement, with strong support from its diaspora.
