IPOB's Catalonia Cultural Showcase: A Bold Stand for Biafran Identity Against Nigeria's Smear Campaign My dear Biafran brothers and...
IPOB's Catalonia Cultural Showcase: A Bold Stand for Biafran Identity Against Nigeria's Smear Campaign
My dear Biafran brothers and sisters, both at home and in the diaspora, as we reflect on the recent cultural heritage show organized by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) during Catalonia's Independence Remembrance Day on September 11, 2025, it is a moment of profound pride and strategic wisdom. This event, held in Barcelona amid the vibrant celebrations of La Diada Nacional de Catalunya Catalonia's National Day commemorating the fall of Barcelona in 1714 during the War of the Spanish separation was not just a display of our rich Igbo and Biafran traditions but a masterstroke by IPOB's Directorate of State (DOS). In a time when the Nigerian government is intensifying its propaganda to label IPOB a terrorist organization and falsely link us to the conviction of Simon Ekpa, this presence in Catalonia serves as a powerful counter narrative. It reaffirms our commitment to peaceful self-determination, cultural preservation, and global solidarity with other oppressed nations. Let me educate us on why this event is crucial, its far-reaching importance, and how it bolsters IPOB's image worldwide.
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To appreciate the significance of IPOB's participation, we must first grasp the context of La Diada. This annual holiday on September 11 honors the historical defeat of Catalan forces by the Bourbon monarchy in 1714, which led to the suppression of Catalonia's autonomy, institutions, and cultural identity under Spanish rule. Far from a day of mourning defeat alone, La Diada has evolved into a symbol of resilience, cultural revival, and the ongoing struggle for self-determination. Catalans use it to showcase their language, traditions, music, dances, and flags like the senyera (Catalonia's official flag) and the estelada (independence flag) through parades, concerts, floral offerings at monuments (such as to Rafael Casanova, the wounded defender of Barcelona), and massive demonstrations organized by groups like the Catalan National Assembly (ANC) and Òmnium Cultural.
La Diada remains a platform for political aspirations, highlighting Catalonia's refusal to be assimilated into a larger state that erodes its identity. This mirrors Biafra's own history, our brief Republic in 1967-1970 was crushed by Nigeria with the help of some western powers, leading to the genocide of over 3 million Biafran people, yet we persist in reclaiming our sovereignty through non-violent means, just as Catalans have since the 19th-century Renaixença.
This was no random gathering; it was a deliberate showcase of Biafra's vibrant heritage, drawing parallels to Catalonia's own revival of suppressed traditions post-1714. Events like this remind the world that Biafrans are not warmongers but custodians of a profound cultural legacy rooted in innovation, community values, and peaceful advocacy. In Barcelona's streets, filled with senyeres and estelades, our presence amplified the message, just as Catalonia resists Spanish centralization, Biafra rejects Nigerian domination that marginalizes the Igbo and other ethnic groups in the Southeast
Preservation and Promotion of Biafran Cultural Identity. In an era where Nigerian policies suppress Igbo language in schools and marginalize our festivals, events like this keep our heritage alive globally. By performing in Catalonia a region that has fiercely protected its Catalan tongue and customs despite bans, IPOB demonstrates that Biafran culture is not confined to Nigeria's borders. This educates younger generations in the diaspora and inspires those at home, countering assimilation efforts and building intergenerational pride.
Building International Solidarity with Self-Determination Movements. La Diada is a global symbol of resistance, attended by activists from Scotland, Kurdistan, and Palestine. IPOB's involvement creates alliances, showing that Biafra's struggle is part of a worldwide fight against imperialism. This visibility can lead to joint advocacy, such as petitions to the UN or EU, pressuring Nigeria to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who has been detained since 2021 on trumped-up charges.
Timing and Countering Nigerian Propaganda:
The Nigerian government has ramped up efforts to portray IPOB as a terrorist group, especially following Simon Ekpa's conviction in Finland on September 1, 2025. Ekpa, a self-proclaimed "Biafra Government in Exile" leader, was sentenced to six years for terrorism-related offenses, including inciting crimes via social media and supplying arms from August 2021 to November 2024. Nigeria's military and officials, like Tukur Gusau, hailed it as a "victory" against “secessionism”, attempting to tie it to IPOB despite the Finnish court explicitly exonerating us, no link was found, as IPOB testified under oath that Ekpa was never a member or affiliate. IPOB's spokesperson, Emma Powerful, called it a "smear campaign" to derail Kanu's trial (adjourned to October 10, 2025), accusing Nigeria of misinformation to influence global opinion. Just days after this conviction, IPOB's cultural show in Catalonia flips the script.
While Nigeria pushes a narrative of violence (labeling IPOB a terrorist group domestically since 2017, though unrecognized internationally), our peaceful, artistic participation humanizes Biafra. It shows the world IPOB as a cultural and diplomatic force, not a militant one, dancing and demonstrating alongside Catalans, not inciting harm. This directly undermines attempts to link us to Ekpa's faction (Autopilot or BRGIE), which IPOB has repeatedly disowned as a "parallel contraption" of "violent criminals." In a week of heightened scrutiny, this event proves DOS's foresight, it distances us from bad actors and reinforces our non violent ethos under international law (e.g., UN Charter on self-determination).
Nigeria's campaign relies on guilt by association, but images and videos from La Diada-Biafrans in traditional attire at peaceful rallies circulate on social media, reaching millions. This boosts IPOB's credibility with human rights groups like Amnesty International, which has criticized Nigeria's proscription of IPOB as politically motivated. Globally, it positions us alongside legitimate movements like Catalonia's, eroding the "terrorist" label and attracting sympathy from Europe, where self-determination is valued.
With Biafrans in over 100 countries, events like this energize the diaspora, encouraging remittances for advocacy and cultural programs. It also draws neutral observers, potentially leading to media coverage (e.g., in Catalan News or BBC) that highlights our peaceful side, countering Nigerian funded disinformation.
Strategic Diplomacy for Biafra's Future:
By engaging in cultural diplomacy, IPOB builds soft power. This could influence EU policies on Nigeria, especially amid Kanu's case, and inspire similar events in Scotland or Quebec, amplifying our voice at forums like the UN General Assembly.
DOS's decision to host this event exemplifies visionary leadership. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has always emphasized non-violence, radio broadcasts, and cultural revival as paths to Biafra's restoration, principles DOS upholds in his absence.
Choosing Catalonia was perfect: both regions share a history of lost autonomy (Biafra 1970 vs. Catalonia 1714), cultural suppression, and peaceful protests. Amid Ekpa's conviction, staying silent would have let Nigeria dominate the narrative; instead, DOS turned a potential setback into a showcase of strength. This proactive stance protects IPOB's integrity, as the Finnish ruling itself vindicates us, and prevents Ekpa's errors from tainting our movement.
It's a reminder that true freedom comes through discipline, culture, and global alliances, not chaos. Fellow Biafrans, let this event inspire us to organize more cultural showcases worldwide. Share stories of our heritage, support DOS's directives, and demand #FreeMaziNnamdiKanu. Nigeria's lies will crumble against our truth. Biafra lives through culture, unity, and unyielding resolve! Iseee!
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