Biafra veterans back Nnamdi Kanu as former fighters endorse the IPOB leader and urge unity following the group’s leadership dispute

Biafra war veterans have thrown their weight behind IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu amid growing tensions within the Indigenous People of Biafra following the dissolution of the organisation’s third Directorate of State (DOS) administration.

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The veterans, speaking through a statement issued in Umuahia on Monday, reaffirmed their loyalty to Kanu and urged members of the movement to remain united as the group navigates the latest leadership dispute.

The statement was jointly endorsed by Elder Sunday I. Nwokejie and Colonel Emma U. Kalu on behalf of the Biafran veterans.

The former fighters were reacting to Kanu’s decision to dissolve the third DOS administration and expel members of the leadership structure headed by Chika Edoziem.

Declaring their support, the veterans described Kanu as the recognised leader of the Biafra restoration movement and praised what they called his sacrifices for the cause over the years.

“We reaffirm our total, unwavering support for Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Supreme Leader of IPOB and the arrowhead of the Biafra Restoration struggle,” the statement said.

The endorsement comes at a sensitive moment for IPOB, which has experienced periodic internal disagreements since Kanu’s arrest and detention.

The latest development centres on the dissolution of the third DOS administration, a move that has generated debate among supporters of the separatist movement.

According to the veterans, Kanu’s years of detention and commitment to the Biafra cause have earned him continued loyalty from those who participated in the Nigerian Civil War and subsequent advocacy efforts.

The group also urged supporters to rally behind the newly constituted fourth Directorate of State and avoid actions that could deepen divisions within the movement.

“We call on all Biafrans to close ranks, stay united, disciplined and focused. Support the 4th Directorate of State. This is not the time for division or personal ambition,” the statement added.

The declaration by the veterans adds another dimension to the ongoing leadership realignment within IPOB, a movement that has remained at the centre of renewed calls for self-determination in Nigeria’s South-East region.

Kanu, who has been in detention while facing terrorism-related charges brought by the Federal Government, continues to command support from many of his followers despite the prolonged legal proceedings.

The Federal Government has consistently maintained that the case against him is being handled through due judicial process, while his supporters continue to demand his release.

The latest endorsement underscores the influence Kanu still holds among sections of the Biafra movement, even as debates over leadership, strategy and the future direction of the organisation continue to shape discussions within IPOB.

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For now, the call by the veterans for unity signals an effort to steady the movement amid internal disagreements and maintain support for Kanu as its central figure.