The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has strongly opposed the proposed creation of new states in Nigeria, stating that their demand remains an independent Biafra, not additional states in the Southeast.
The federal government is reportedly considering the establishment of 31 new states, including five in the Southeast—Etiti, Adada, Urashi, Orlu, and Aba. However, IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, dismissed the move, arguing that existing states are already bankrupt and struggling to function effectively.
In a statement issued on Monday, Powerful criticized the Nigerian government’s approach, describing state creation as a distraction from the country’s deep-rooted economic and security challenges. He emphasized that the foundation of Nigeria is flawed and sustained by corruption, making state creation an ineffective solution.
“The IPOB movement is against the creation of new states because the existing ones are bankrupt and not functioning properly. Instead of multiplying economically weak states, the unworkable Nigerian unity should be dissolved,” he stated.
Powerful traced Nigeria’s state creation history, accusing past military leaders, particularly Yakubu Gowon, Murtala Muhammad, Ibrahim Babangida, and Sani Abacha, of using state creation as a tool to manipulate political power in favor of the North. According to him, these moves have led to disunity and an imbalanced political structure that continues to hinder national progress.
The IPOB spokesperson reaffirmed the group’s stance against further division of the Southeast, insisting that the only acceptable resolution is a peaceful referendum on Biafra’s independence.
“Our position is clear: we don’t want our region to be balkanized any further. Instead, we demand the return of Igbo communities carved into Kogi, Benue, and Edo states back into Alaigbo. The Nigerian government can create more states for itself, but what Ndigbo want is an independent Biafra,” he added.
IPOB has consistently pushed for a referendum to determine the future of the Southeast, maintaining that self-determination is the only viable path for the Igbo people. The group continues to call on the Nigerian government to grant the region the right to decide its fate democratically.
