Simon Ekpa
Ekpa in 2023
Born (1985-03-21) 21 March 1985[1]
Ohaukwu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria[1]
CitizenshipFinnish
Occupations
  • Lawyer
  • Politician
Years active2021–present
OrganizationBiafra Republic Government in Exile
Political partyNational Coalition Party
MovementLiberation of Biafra
AwardsAmbassador for Peace
Websitebiafrarepublicgov.org

Simon Ekpa (born 21 March 1985) is a Finnish local politician, lawyer and former Nigerian athlete.[2][3] He is one of the current leaders of the Biafra independence movement and the designated Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE) organization.[4][5][6] [7][8][9]

Life and career

Ekpa was born on 21 March 1985 in Ohaukwu local government area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria.[10][1] He won a silver medal for Nigeria in 100 meters in the 2003 African Junior Athletics Championships in Cameroon.[1] Ekpa has lived in Lahti, Finland since 2007. He learned Finnish, completed military service and started a family.[11] He is a member of the National Coalition Party of Finland, and was a candidate in the 2022 Finnish county elections.[12] As of 2023, he is a city councillor in Lahti.[11]

He served in the Finnish military at the Häme Regiment in Hennala (2013) and currently a reservist in the Finnish Army.[13]

Education

After completing his high school education, he enrolled at Aberystwyth University to pursue a Master's degree in Law. He also went to Canyon College for additional studies.[14]

Criticism

According to a report from Yle, Ekpa's activism started to gather mainstream attention in February 2023. The local Kokoomus parti in Lahti stated that they have started an internal investigation of these claims. Orji Anya Odim, representing the association Igbo Union Finland, stated in the same interview, "He should stop inciting hatred and provoking. Ekpa does not represent the Igbo people of Finland".[15] The Nigerian government has also demanded Finland stop Ekpa's activities.[16] Yle interviews with residents of Enugu suggested extensive fear of Ekpa and compliance with his "stay at home" orders involving the 2023 Nigerian elections.[17] In late February 2023 Yle reported Ekpa is being suspected of having raised funds in an illegal manner by the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation.[18]

Activism

Ekpa was made lead broadcaster for Radio Biafra, associated with the separatist organisation Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) after the arrest of political activist Nnamdi Kanu.[1][19] However, Ekpa was not allowed to broadcast on radio[20] citing violation of the rules of the organisation.[21]

Yle stated in February 2023 that "estimates of the number of gunmen loyal to him vary greatly, from hundreds to tens of thousands, and his exact position in the separatist groups is unverified."[6] As of 2023, he has been called the Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE). The Daily Post has in different articles referred to him both as "Prime Minister" and "self-acclaimed Prime Minister".[22][9][23] Ekpa stated in 2023 that "Biafra Republic Government In-Exile is registered, approved and legal. Agent of Nigeria, take note!".[24]

In December 2022, Ekpa ordered a five-day sit at home civil disobedience campaign[25] in the southeast and parts of southern Nigeria[26] from 9 to 14 December 2022.[27] On 14 June 2023, Ekpa announced a week-long sit at home campaign from 3 to 10 July 2023,[28] which according to The Whistler recorded 70% compliance.[29]

In October 2023, Ekpa and cabinet members of Biafra Republic Government in Exile hosted a 3-day convention in Helsinki, Finland where possible Biafran Referendum was discussed with participants and attendants from Biafra.[30][31]

Awards

On 25 May 2023 at the African Day Celebration in Helsinki, Finland, the Universal Peace Federation awarded Ekpa Ambassador for Peace.[4]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 TheCable (8 December 2021). "CLOSE-UP: Simon Ekpa, Nnamdi Kanu's Finland-based disciple and king of fake news". TheCable. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  2. ↑ "Nigeria asks Finland to clamp down on Lahti resident and Biafra separatist leader Simon Ekpa". News. 2023-02-17. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  3. ↑ "Ex-Finnish Soldier, Simon Ekpa Takes Over From Nnamdi Kanu At Radio Biafra". Gistmania. 2021-07-10. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  4. 1 2 "Simon Ekpa sai "rauhanlähettiläs-palkinnon" Helsingissä – Lahdessa asuva liikemies tunnetaan nigerialaisten lietsomisesta kapinaan". Yle Uutiset (in Finnish). 2023-06-01. Retrieved 2023-06-09.
  5. ↑ "Simon Ekpa: Nigeria's Ipob faction leader arrested in Finland". BBC News. 2023-02-23. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  6. 1 2 "Lahtelainen kunnallispoliitikko johtaa aseellista kapinaa Nigeriassa – määrännyt miljoonat ihmiset boikotoimaan vaaleja". Yle Uutiset (in Finnish). 2023-02-16. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  7. ↑ Ariemu, Ogaga (2023-10-21). "Simon Ekpa accuses Nigerian government of injustice against Igbos, insists on referendum". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  8. ↑ Amin_3 (2023-12-19). "Biafra Govt issues travel advice to Igbos in Diaspora ahead of Yuletide - Peoples Daily Newspaper". Retrieved 2023-12-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  9. 1 2 Ariemu, Ogaga (24 May 2023). "Nnamdi Kanu in severe pain, needs urgent ear surgery – Ekpa raises alarm". Daily Post (Nigeria). Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  10. ↑ Sobowale, Rasheed (16 April 2022). "Violence in South East: Who's Simon Ekpa?". Vanguard. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  11. 1 2 "Nigeria asks Finland to clamp down on Lahti resident and Biafra separatist leader Simon Ekpa". Yle. 17 February 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  12. ↑ Parkkari, Jani (16 February 2023). "Lahtelainen kunnallispoliitikko johtaa aseellista kapinaa Nigeriassa – määrännyt miljoonat ihmiset boikotoimaan vaaleja" (in Finnish). Yle. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  13. ↑ "Nigeria asks Finland to clamp down on Lahti resident and Biafra separatist leader Simon Ekpa". News. 2023-02-17. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  14. ↑ Mongina, Night (2023-07-05). "Simon Ekpa's biography: age, wife, net worth, state of origin". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  15. ↑ Original quote "Hänen tulisi lopettaa vihan lietsominen ja provosointi. Ekpa ei edusta Suomen igboja", https://yle.fi/a/74-20018561
  16. ↑ "Hämeen kokoomus selvittää separatistijohtaja Simon Ekpan toimintaa Nigeriassa – Suomessa asuvat maanmiehet irtisanoutuvat väkivallasta". Yle Uutiset (in Finnish). 2023-02-17. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
  17. ↑ "Yle Nigeriassa: Miljoonat pysyvät kotona joka maanantai, kun Simon Ekpa Lahdesta käskee – pelko on seudulla kouriintuntuvaa". Yle Uutiset (in Finnish). 2023-02-18. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
  18. ↑ "Poliisi epäilee lahtelaista Simon Ekpaa rahankeräysrikoksesta – KRP selvittää myös nigerialaiskapinallisen toimia sosiaalisessa mediassa". 24 February 2023.
  19. ↑ "Ihe Finland kwuru maka ebubo na Simon Ekpa na-akpalite tigbuo-zogbuo n'Ọwụwa Anyanwụ". BBC News Ìgbò (in Igbo). 2023-01-21. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
  20. ↑ Njoku, Lawrence (22 July 2021). "IPOB sacks Simon Ekpa as Radio Biafra broadcaster". The Guardian. Enugu. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  21. ↑ Reporters, Sahara (26 May 2022). "EXCLUSIVE: IPOB Accuses Nnamdi Kanu's Self-proclaimed Disciple, Simon Ekpa Of Working With Nigerian Politicians, Security Agencies To Kill Igbo People". Sahara Reporters. New York. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  22. ↑ "Nnamdi Kanu's 'Disciple', Ekpa Writes UN, Announces Himself As Prime Minister Of Biafra Government In Exile, Lists Other Ministers, Office Holders | Sahara Reporters". saharareporters.com. 13 April 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  23. ↑ Ariemu, Ogaga (5 June 2023). "Sit-at-home: Ekpa knocks Mbah, claims governor disgraced". Daily Post (Nigeria). Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  24. ↑ Ariemu, Ogaga (23 May 2023). "Nnamdi Kanu happy with Biafra Republic Government in Exile – Ekpa insists". Daily Post (Nigeria). Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  25. ↑ Obeta, Okechukwu (2022-12-07). "Ignore 5-day Sit-at-home Order, IPOB Tells South East Residents". Retrieved 2023-06-16.
  26. ↑ Osaji, Sharon (2022-12-15). "Ekpa ends sit-at-home, says no elections in South-East". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
  27. ↑ Sunday, Ochogwu (2022-12-06). "No 5-day sit-at-home in South-East – IPOB counters Simon Ekpa". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
  28. ↑ Ariemu, Ogaga (2023-06-14). "Ekpa announces weeklong sit-at-home to demand release of Nnamdi Kanu". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
  29. ↑ "IPOB: Ekpa Alleges S'East Governors Sponsored Terrorists To Attack Him In Finland – The Whistler Newspaper". thewhistler.ng. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  30. ↑ Ariemu, Ogaga (2023-10-19). "Simon Ekpa hosts three-day extraordinary conference on Biafra Referendum". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  31. ↑ Okafor, Emeka (2023-10-22). "The Biafra-Helsinki Declaration Convention". Dotland Media. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
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