The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced the discontinuation of the use of the pseudonym “Emma Powerful” for issuing its official statements, citing abuse and compromise of the name.
The decision was disclosed in a statement released on Saturday by Mazi Chukwukadibia Edoziem, Head of the Directorate of State (DOS) of IPOB. According to him, the directive forms part of efforts to align the organization’s operations with globally recognized institutional best practices.
The DOS explained that “Emma Powerful,” which had been operationally used by the IPOB Publicity Secretary to disseminate press releases, has been misused and compromised, posing serious risks to the movement and its leadership.
The statement noted that any communication issued in the name of IPOB carries significant responsibility, adding that the continued use of the pseudonym now presents clear dangers to the organization and the Biafran self-determination struggle.
It further alleged that some individuals and groups had exploited the pseudonym to undermine peace and security in Biafraland.
As a result, the Directorate of State resolved that all official IPOB press statements must henceforth be issued solely on the organisation’s official letterheaded paper. IPOB also made it clear that it will no longer release statements under the name “Emma Powerful.”
For clarity, the group warned that any future statement issued under the pseudonym does not originate from IPOB leadership and does not represent the position of the Directorate of State.
Additionally, the DOS stressed that it did not authorize any individual or group to declare a lockdown or sit-at-home order across Biafraland on Monday, February 2, 2026.
However, Emma Powerful has not responded to the directive as of filing the report.
