The Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE) has announced the election of Honorable Ogechukwu Nkere as its new Prime Minister, succeeding Simon Ekpa Njoku.

An official press release from the BRGIE revealed that Nkere was unanimously elected by the cabinet on January 14, 2026. The statement also highlighted that Nkere had already been playing a central role within the organization before his formal election.

“Hon. Nkere had previously served as Acting Prime Minister and de facto leader of the BRGIE since December 2024, following the detention of former Prime Minister Simon Ekpa in Finland,” the release stated.

Before becoming Prime Minister, Nkere held key positions in the BRGIE, including Finance Minister and the organization’s longtime representative in Washington, D.C., where he worked closely with U.S. government officials and BRGIE lobbyists.

The leadership change comes after Ekpa’s legal troubles in Finland. In 2025, the Päijät-Häme District Court convicted Ekpa on terrorism charges, sentencing him to six years in prison. He was found guilty of inciting terrorism in Nigeria and promoting Biafra’s independence through illegal means between 2021 and 2024.

Nkere’s election marks a new chapter for the BRGIE, with the organization emphasizing continuity of leadership and international representation.