Simon Ekpa, a leader of the Biafra Autopilot movement, has engaged the American lobbying firm Moran Global Strategies (MGS) to advance the cause of Biafran independence in the United States. This development comes at a time when there are increasing calls for Ekpa to be extradited to Nigeria to face prosecution over allegations of terrorism.
Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish citizen who resides in Finland, leads a Biafra agitating group known as Autopilot.
Ekpa, who often refers to himself as the Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government In-Exile (BRGIE), applied in June 2024 to engage the services of Moran Global Strategies, a lobbying firm owned by former US Congressman James Moran. The agreement between Ekpa and MGS, obtained by Igbo History, indicates that the firm will dedicate its efforts to representing the interests of Biafra.
According to the contract signed on 12 June 2024 by Ekpa on behalf of the BRGIE, Moran Global Strategies will work to persuade the US government to support the secession of Biafra from Nigeria. The firm’s responsibilities include providing strategic advice and facilitating interactions with members of the US Executive and Legislative branches, as well as other relevant stakeholders.
The agreement outlines that MGS will promote the narrative that an independent Biafra, once established, will be a close ally of the United States and serve as a bulwark against Islamic terrorism in the region. The lobbying firm will also educate US stakeholders on issues concerning Nigeria, such as human rights abuses, religious freedom, and the rise of Islamic fundamentalism within the Nigerian government.
The contract further details that MGS will work to secure meetings and interactions for the BRGIE with key figures in various US government bodies, including the leadership of the House and Senate, the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations Committees, and senior officials from the State Department, National Security Council, and White House. Additionally, the firm will seek to engage prominent religious, ethnic, and civil society organizations, as well as media outlets and the Biafra diaspora in the US.
The contract, which commenced on 15 June 2024 and is set to conclude on 14 June 2025, stipulates that the BRGIE will pay MGS a monthly fee of $10,000 (approximately N15.8 million). The agreement also includes a provision for renewal on the same terms upon expiration.
Ekpa’s decision to hire a US lobbying firm comes against the backdrop of calls for his extradition to Nigeria to face charges related to terrorism. In July 2024, Ekpa claimed responsibility for an attack in Imo State that resulted in the deaths of four police officers and a woman. This has intensified demands for his prosecution.
Prominent figures in Nigeria, including Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, have called for Ekpa’s repatriation. In June, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, accused the Finnish government and the European Union of obstructing efforts to extradite Ekpa. The Nigerian Senate has also urged the federal government to collaborate with Finland to secure Ekpa’s extradition.
In response to a request from Nigeria in February 2023, the Finnish government, through its ambassador to Nigeria, Leena Pylvanainen, expressed concern about the situation but emphasized that any action involving Ekpa must comply with Finnish law, given his status as a Finnish citizen.
Simon Ekpa’s engagement of Moran Global Strategies represents a significant step in his efforts to garner international support for the Biafran cause. However, it also highlights the growing tension between his activities and the Nigerian government’s efforts to bring him to justice for alleged terrorism-related offenses. The outcome of these efforts will likely have significant implications for both Ekpa’s cause and the broader geopolitical landscape in Nigeria.
