Supporters of Simon Ekpa have declared the formation of the United States of Biafra in Finland.
Punch reports that the announcement came during a conference held in Lahti on November 29, 2024, where Ekpa’s followers gathered to proclaim an independent Biafran state.
Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, is presently in custody, facing terrorism-related charges for allegedly inciting violence in Nigeria’s South-East region through social media.
Though the declaration had initially been scheduled for December 2, the event came earlier following Ekpa’s arrest.
Ngozi Orabueze, who was appointed by Ekpa as the Chief of Staff of the United States of Biafra, led the ceremony.
Orabueze, an advocate of Biafran sovereignty, announced the establishment of the new state, which she said would operate with its own currency and time zone.
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.”
Afterwards, Orabueze, taking the oath of office, listed the states within the newly re-declared United States of Biafra.
The states are:
1. State: Aba, Capital: Aba, Former State: Abia
2. State: Adoka, Capital: Konshisha, Former State: Lower Benue
3. State: Afemai Igodomigodo, Capital: Auchi, Former State: Edo
4. State: Ahoada, Capital: Ahoada, Former State: Rivers
5. State: Akpakip Oro, Capital: Oron, Former State: Akwa Ibom
6. State: Alanso, Capital: Nsukka, Former State: Enugu
7. State: Alaudo, Capital: Obasi Nnunnu, Former State: Abia
8. State: Anioma, Capital: Asaba, Former State: Delta
9. State: Branem, Capital: Wabise, Former State: Bayelsa
10. State: Calabar, Capital: Calabar, Former State: Cross River
11. State: Ebonyi, Capital: Abakaliki, Former State: Ebonyi
12. State: Ebube, Capital: Ebube, Former State: Ebonyi
13. State: Edda, Capital: Ekoli, Former State: Ebonyi
14. State: Enugu, Capital: Enugu, Former State: Enugu
15. State: Epie, Capital: Yenogoa, Former State: Bayelsa
16. State: Esan Igodomigodo, Capital: Ekpoma, Former State: Edo
17. State: Ezeani, Capital: Ugwuocha, Former State: Edo
18. State: Idem Igodomigodo, Capital: Ehor, Former State: Edo
19. State: Idung Ibon, Capital: Uyo, Former State: Akwa Ibom
20. State: Igala, Capital: Ekpa, Former State: Kogi
21. State: Igbani, Capital: Bonny, Former State: Bayelsa
22. State: Ika, Capital: Igbodo, Former State: Delta
23. State: Ikemba, Capital: Awka, Former State: Anambra
24. State: Ikom, Capital: Obubra/Boje, Former State: Cross River
25. State: Ikwuimesia, Capital: Umuahia, Former State: Abia
26. State: Itai, Capital: Ikot Ekpene, Former State: Akwa Ibom
27. State: Iwere, Capital: Koko, Former State: Delta
28. State: Iwhurohroja, Capital: Igweocha, Former State: Rivers
29. State: Odumegwu, Capital: Uga, Former State: Anambra
30. State: Ogbia/Izon, Capital: Ogbia, Former State: Bayelsa
31. State: Ogoja, Capital: Obudu, Former State: Cross River
32. State: Ohabuenyi, Capital: Mbanato, Former State: Enugu
33. State: Ohaukwu, Capital: Ezamgbo, Former State: Ebonyi
34. State: Okigwe, Capital: Okigwe, Former State: Imo
35. State: Omambala, Capital: Onitsha, Former State: Anambra
36. State: Orlu, Capital: Akatta, Former State: Imo
37. State: Owerri, Capital: Owerri, Former State: Imo
38. State: Qua, Capital: Eket, Former State: Akwa Ibom
39. State: South Atlantic, Capital: Sagbama, Former State: Bayelsa
40. State: Uhrobo/Isoko, Capital: Ughelli, Former State: Delta
Meanwhile, Simon Ekpa will spend Christmas and New Year breaks in detention as the Finnish legal system does not permit bail.
DOCKAYSWORLD reports that the pro-Biafran agitator will face charges in May 2025.
