Simon Ekpa, leader of the Autopilot faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has taken the Biafran independence movement to the United States in a bid to secure international support and recognition.
Ekpa, who serves as the Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government In-Exile (BRGIE), has signed a substantial lobbying agreement worth $130,000 (approximately N205 million) with the U.S.-based firm Moran Global Strategies (MGS), as reported by Vanguard.
The deal is intended to drive high-level advocacy and strategic engagement with key figures in Washington D.C., including lawmakers, policymakers, and influential think tanks, to bolster the push for an independent Biafran state.
This development marks a significant move in the ongoing struggle for Biafran independence, with Ekpa aiming to use international platforms to draw attention to the grievances and aspirations of the Biafran people.
According to Premium Times, the Finland-based separatist leader initiated the process in June 2024 to enlist the services of MGS, which is owned by former U.S. lawmaker James Moran. The agreement was signed by Moran on June 10, 2024, and by Ekpa on June 12, 2024.
Under the terms of the contract, BRGIE will pay MGS a monthly fee of $10,000 (approximately N15.8 million) for its services. The contract began on June 15, 2024, and is set to run until June 14, 2025, with monthly payments due by the 15th of each month.
The agreement, which can be renewed annually, outlines MGS’s role in helping Ekpa and BRGIE persuade the U.S. government and private sectors to support Biafra’s secession from Nigeria.
The contract specifies that MGS will provide strategic advice and facilitate interactions with members of the U.S. government, as well as other third-party interests. MGS will advocate for U.S. recognition of Biafra as an independent state and highlight Biafra’s potential role as a key ally of the U.S. and a counterforce to Islamic terrorism in the region.
Additionally, MGS will work to educate U.S. stakeholders on various issues concerning the Nigerian government, including human rights abuses, religious persecution, the rise of Islamic fundamentalism, and Nigeria’s alignment with U.S. adversaries. The firm will also encourage the U.S. government to engage directly with BRGIE through advocacy by Congress and other entities, including faith-based and human rights organizations.