In a surprising development, Simon Ekpa, leader of the Biafra Republic Government In-Exile, has alleged that Nigeria is planning to sever diplomatic ties with Finland. Ekpa, who is currently based in Finland, made this claim through a statement on his official X (formerly Twitter) account. His assertion has generated significant attention, coming shortly after Finnish officials commented on the legal proceedings against him.

Simon Ekpa is a prominent figure in the Biafra independence movement, which seeks to establish an independent state for the Igbo people in southeastern Nigeria. The movement, which traces its origins to the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970), has persisted for decades, despite the conflict’s end. Ekpa, a Nigerian citizen residing in Finland, has been vocal about his support for the Biafra cause, and he leads the Biafra Republic Government In-Exile, a group advocating for the movement’s goals from outside Nigeria.

Ekpa’s activities have not gone unnoticed by the Nigerian government, which has been making efforts to extradite him to face charges related to his activism. These efforts include diplomatic exchanges with Finland, where Ekpa has lived for many years. The situation took a new turn when Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Elina Valtonen, spoke publicly about the case.

Elina Valtonen, Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, recently addressed the legal situation involving Simon Ekpa during a meeting with Nigerian officials. The meeting included Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, as well as foreign ministers from Sweden, Iceland, and representatives from Norway and Denmark. Valtonen emphasized that Finland is handling Ekpa’s case strictly through its judicial system, which adheres to the rule of law.

This statement indicates that Finland is treating the matter with due legal process, underscoring the country’s commitment to upholding human rights and the principles of justice. However, Ekpa’s claims suggest that the Nigerian government is frustrated by the lack of progress in its efforts to bring him back to Nigeria.

Reacting to these developments, Simon Ekpa claimed that the Nigerian government is now considering closing its embassy in Finland and severing diplomatic relations between the two countries. According to Ekpa, this drastic step comes after several failed attempts by Nigeria to secure his extradition.

Ekpa stated that Nigeria has “run out of options and ideas,” leading to the decision to cut ties with Finland. He further argued that Finland would benefit more from aligning with the emerging state of Biafra than from maintaining relations with Nigeria.

Ekpa’s assertion, if true, would represent a significant escalation in the diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and Finland. However, it is important to note that these claims have not been officially confirmed by either government.

In his statement, Ekpa drew a parallel between Nigeria’s alleged plans and Norway’s previous decision to close its embassy in Nigeria. He mentioned that Norway relocated its embassy to Ghana some time ago, suggesting that Finland might not lose much by following a similar path. Ekpa portrayed the potential closure as a relief from the burden of dealing with what he described as “fake and forged documents” from Nigeria.

In addition to his claims about Nigeria’s diplomatic moves, Simon Ekpa also alleged that there have been multiple attempts on his life in Finland. He mentioned a “fifth attempt to assassinate” him, although he did not provide detailed evidence or context for these allegations. These claims have added another layer of complexity to an already tense situation.

If Nigeria were to sever diplomatic ties with Finland, it would mark a significant shift in the relationship between the two countries. Such a move could have broader implications for Nigeria’s foreign relations and its ongoing efforts to manage separatist movements within its borders.

Simon Ekpa’s claims, while unconfirmed, highlight the growing tension between his movement and the Nigerian government. As the situation develops, it will be important to monitor official statements from both Nigeria and Finland to better understand the potential consequences of these alleged plans.

For now, the claims remain speculative, but they reflect the broader challenges Nigeria faces in addressing separatist sentiments and maintaining its diplomatic relationships abroad.