Finnish gov’t orders Simon Ekpa to reverse election day sit-at-home order or risk arrest
The government of Finland has given Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed disciple of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu 48 hours to withdraw the sit-at-home order imposed on election days in the Southeastern region of Nigeria or risk international sanction.
Ekpa, a self-proclaimed disciple of Kanu, has been championing the restoration of the Biafra Republic and calling for the boycott of elections in the South-East region of Nigeria unless Kanu was released.
READ ALSO: Suspected ESN/IPOB gunmen set ablaze Imo High Court, destroy files
He has sustained Monday’s sit-at-home protest against the continued detention of Kanu in the custody of the DSS despite several court orders directing his unconditional release.
Recently, Ekpa declared five days of sit-at-home protests starting from February 23 to 28, a development that put fears in many Easterners that the presidential election could be derailed.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Leena Pylvanainen, over Ekpa’s threats to stop the 2023 general election in the South East.
Responding, the Finnish Government gave a directive in a letter sent to Ekpa which was signed by Prime Minister, Sanna Mirella Marin, and dated February 15, 2023.
“More worrying to the Finnish Government is your imposition of sit-at-homes on days slated for democratic elections in Nigeria. This is an act of international terrorism.
“You are hereby directed to call off your planned sit-at-homes by pronouncing through the same media outlets, you used for your illegal pronouncements, a reversal of your sit-at-home orders.
“Mr Simon Ikpa, you have 48 hours to reverse course or you will be arrested and charged with international terrorism.
“I have directed my Attorney General, Raija Toiviainen, to ensure that my directive is immediately carried out,” the Prime Minister warned.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, summoned the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Leena Pylvanainen, over threats by Nigerian-Finnish Biafran agitator, Simon Ekpa, to stop the 2023 general election in Nigeria’s South East region.
The government expressed displeasure over the orders given by Simon Ekpa to his teeming followers to disrupt the forthcoming general elections in the country.
Mr Onyeama, represented by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Zubairu Dada, said Ekpa’s action was fast becoming a threat to the forthcoming election, and that the Nigerian government would not take it “lightly” with him and the Finland government if nothing “drastic” was not done about his threats.
“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,” Mr Onyeama stated.
The foreign affairs minister lamented that the factional IPOB leader has huge followership on social media.
“It’s important to get to know that the 2023 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,” the minister told Mrs Pylvanainen.
See the letter below.
