Ayomidele Oluwasusi
Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government In-Exile (BRGIE), Simon Ekpa, says BRGIE will counter any diplomatic move by Nigerian government led by President Bola Tinubu to persuade the incoming U.S. President Donald Trump administration against supporting the liberation of Biafra.
Ekpa had alleged on Wednesday that Abuja officially wrote to Donald Trump, urging him to distance himself from the undying agitation for the freedom of the eastern region of Nigeria, inhabited by the Igbo people.
President Bola Tinubu had congratulated US President-elect Donald Trump after defeating Kamala Harris on Wednesday. Trump is set to become the 47th president of the United States.
In a statement by Tinubu’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the incumbent Nigerian leader said he looks forward to strengthening the ties between Nigeria and the US amid the complex challenges and opportunities of the contemporary world.
“Together, we can foster economic cooperation, promote peace, and address global challenges that affect our citizens. Trump’s victory reflects the trust and confidence the American people have placed in his leadership. He congratulates them on their commitment to democracy”, Tinubu said.
According to the statement, Tinubu believes that, given Trump’s experience as the 45th president of the US from 2017 to 2021, his return to the White House as the 47th president “will usher in an era of earnest, beneficial, and reciprocal economic and development partnerships between Africa and the US.”
Acknowledging the US’ influence, power, and position in determining the trend and course of global events, President Tinubu trusts that Trump will bring the world closer to peace and prosperity.
However, Ekpa said that Abuja did not only seek to distance Trump from his movement but that it also “advertised” his activism to the president in an attempt to undermine his cause.
“BREAKING Nigeria Government Officially wrote @realDonaldTrump to distance himself from my agitation for freedom. They actually advertised me to Mr President,” Ekpa wrote on social media platform X.
Expressing defiance, the BRGIE PM said the Nigerian government’s efforts will not deter him from continuing his fight for freedom of Biafra.
Nigerian authorities could not be reached for comment.
The development highlighted the growing international attention on Biafra campaign and the Nigerian government’s attempts to curb external support for the movement.