Selfish South East Leaders Blocking Nnamdi Kanu’s Release, Alleges Igbo Political Network
The Igbo Political Network (IPN) has joined growing calls for the immediate release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, accusing some Igbo leaders of deliberately frustrating efforts to secure his freedom.
Addressing journalists in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, on Monday, IPN President Chief Okemiri said it was unjust and inhumane for Kanu to remain in detention despite multiple court rulings ordering his release.
“The honest truth is that the time to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has come,” Okemiri declared. “It smacks of injustice and wickedness to continue detaining him even when competent courts have ordered his release. We are no longer begging, he must be allowed to go.”
He described Kanu’s continued incarceration as a calculated attempt to deny him his fundamental rights, arguing that it reinforces perceptions of marginalisation against the Igbo.
“Nationally and internationally, his continued detention is viewed as an organised ploy to frustrate his inalienable human rights and an open declaration that the Igbo are treated as second-class citizens,” he said.
“If known criminals, terrorists and drug barons can be freed, why should Nnamdi Kanu still be held?”
Okemiri accused some Igbo political figures of colluding with external forces to keep Kanu in custody for personal gain.
“We at the Igbo Political Network have concluded that his ordeal is masterminded by selfish Igbo leaders,” he alleged. “As the saying goes, it’s the rat at home that tells the one in the bush that there’s fish in the house. Igbo leaders are working against Kanu’s release for their selfish interests.”
The IPN president also criticised Kanu’s kinsmen and political elites in the region for failing to advocate for his release despite reports of his deteriorating health in custody.
“We expected Igbo leaders and politicians to lend their voices to his release, but they have not done so because of their selfish interests,” Okemiri added.
The group said it had invoked traditional deities to “confront those responsible” for Kanu’s continued incarceration, vowing that justice must prevail.
