Biafra Republic Government in Exile Replaces Simon Ekpa Amid Finland Detention

Story: written by Uzuh Rita January 16,2026
The Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE) has announced the removal of Simon Ekpa as its leader following his continued detention in Finland.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the group confirmed that Ogechukwu Nkere has been appointed as the new Prime Minister of BRGIE, effectively taking over from Ekpa.

According to the statement, Nkere was unanimously elected by members of the BRGIE cabinet on January 14, 2026, after Ekpa was formally relieved of his duties.

The group disclosed that Nkere had been serving as Acting Prime Minister since December 2024, shortly after Ekpa was detained in Finland. Before then, he held the position of Finance Minister and was also BRGIE’s long-standing representative in Washington, DC.

During his time in the United States, Nkere reportedly engaged with key U.S. political figures, including Senator Ted Cruz and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, working alongside BRGIE lobbyists to advance the group’s interests.

The leadership change comes months after Ekpa, a prominent Biafran separatist figure, was sentenced in Finland on September 1, 2025.