Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo sociocultural organisation, has accused governors, lawmakers, traditional rulers and religious leaders from the south-east of abandoning Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The accusation was contained in a statement was signed by the Deputy President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and National Spokesman of the organisation, Chinenyeze Ohia.
The group said while political leaders in other regions have taken bold steps to defend their people, Igbo leaders have chosen silence and token gestures.
In a statement on Wednesday, Ohanaeze said governors in the north have engaged in dialogue with individuals linked to violent acts, while south-west leaders mobilised in unity to secure the release of Yoruba activist Sunday Igboho.
The group said Kanu, who has been in detention since 2021, has not enjoyed the same level of commitment from leaders of the south-east.
Parts of the statement read: “The stark reality is that the primary beneficiaries of Nnamdi Kanu’s continued incarceration are the Igbo political elites who have engaged in a despicable game of evasion.
“These leaders, while professing concern and solidarity, have opted instead to cultivate a muddied culture of deceit that aims to placate public sentiment without championing any genuine resolution.
“They exploit the situation surrounding Nnamdi Kanu as a façade to win favour and bolster their popularity among the populace, offering nothing of substance in return.”
Ohanaeze questioned why leaders prefer visiting Kanu in detention or posing for photographs in courtrooms rather than lobbying President Bola Tinubu directly for his release.
The group also faulted traditional rulers and clerics for preferring “a public media trial over a discreet pursuit of justice through legitimate legal channels”.
“It is essential to convey the uncomfortable truth: the only impediment to Nnamdi Kanu’s freedom is the absence of sincere assurances from Igbo leaders to President Tinubu that Nnamdi Kanu would conduct himself with integrity post-release.
“Tragically, no governor, senator, or influential leader among us is prepared to take the necessary risks that would facilitate his release,” the group stated.
Ohanaeze said it believes Tinubu will facilitate Kanu’s release before the end of 2025, but urged south-east leaders to align their actions with the aspirations of the people.
The article was originally published on Politics Nigeria.
