The Federal Government (FG) through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Leena Pylvanainen, over the anti-democratic and rebellious activities of a factional leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Simon Ekpa.
Bellnewsonline.com reports that Ekpa is a self-acclaimed disciple of Nnamdi Kanu, detained leader of IPOB.
According to publicly available records, the controversial agitator is an indigene of Ohaukwu Local Government Area (LGA) of Ebonyi State.
Aside from using his social media pages for agitations, he also deploys the platforms to spark controversies and disseminate fake news.
On several occasions, Ekpa’s social media posts were flagged as fake news by fact-checkers and authorities.
Through his social media pages, the Finland-based separatist also solicits funds for the activities of the proscribed Eastern Security Network (ESN), IPOB’s armed wing.
At the meeting with Pylvanainen on Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama expressed displeasure over the orders given by Ekpa to his teeming followers who allegedly consequently embarked on killings, maiming, burning and other destructive activities.
Onyeama who was represented by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Zubairu Dada said Ekpa’s action is fast becoming a threat to the forthcoming 2023 election, and that the FG would not take it lightly with him and the Finland governments if nothing drastic is not done.
According to Dada, Simon Ekpa is living in the comfort of his home in Finland and dishing out dangerous orders to his followers not to allow elections to hold which is threatening the peace of south-eastern Nigeria.
“We thought it was important for us to have this chat with you to let you know that, of course, he’s living in the comfort of his home there in Finland and we know that we have been in touch with your good self,” Dada said.
“We’ve had some time to ensure that we arrest this situation but it appears the situation is getting out of hand. And we’re saying enough is enough. We should let you know, in very strong terms that it’s high time you really mean and back Nigeria with the quest that something be done immediately because he threatens the forthcoming elections.
“The sad thing is that this gentleman has a lot of followers out there. And the moment he issues these instructions, what happens is that you have destruction the very next day. They embark on killings, maimings and burning and you name it. And we believe this is not acceptable.
“It’s important to get to know that this elections are being threatened by the actions of someone, and that something needs to be done immediately, to address the situation. This in essence is why we thought it was important for us to have this discussion with you, so as to let you know our concerns and the displeasure of the Government of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria on this very unhealthy development.”
Responding, Pylvanainen stated that while they are watching to see how this fits into the legal framework of Finland, the personality in question is a double citizen and there is a need to take his rights into consideration.