LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigerian cleric Primate Elijah Ayodele has called on the Federal Government to release detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, while also questioning what he described as inconsistencies in the treatment of individuals linked to national security discussions.
The statement was made during a video address to his congregation at the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church in Lagos State, recorded and circulated on social media in June 2026. In the recording, Ayodele referenced Kanu’s continued detention and compared it with Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, who remains free despite his public engagement and commentary on negotiations with armed groups in parts of northern Nigeria.
In the video, Ayodele questioned the government’s approach, asking why Kanu remains in custody while Gumi continues to operate freely in public space. He argued that such perceived imbalance could raise concerns about fairness and national cohesion. The cleric said the situation should be reviewed in the interest of justice and stability, insisting that Nigeria must apply consistent standards in handling sensitive security-related matters.
Ayodele further stated in the same address that prolonged detention of individuals without what he described as a satisfactory resolution could deepen public dissatisfaction. He linked this concern to broader social tensions, adding that unresolved grievances across the country could contribute to protests if not addressed through what he termed responsive governance. He also suggested that public demonstrations tied to economic and political frustrations would reduce if government actions align more closely with citizens’ expectations.
However, the cleric did not announce any specific protest action or provide a timeline for such developments. His remarks were framed as a warning and appeal to authorities rather than a directive or mobilisation call.
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, has been in detention since 2021 after being brought back to Nigeria to face terrorism-related charges. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him. His trial, ongoing in federal court in Abuja, has remained one of Nigeria’s most closely followed legal proceedings, drawing attention from political actors, legal analysts, and civil society groups.
Kanu was previously arrested in 2015 and later granted bail in 2017 under strict conditions before disappearing from public view following a military operation in his hometown. He resurfaced in 2021 when he was returned to Nigeria to continue trial proceedings. His supporters have consistently called for his release, while government prosecutors maintain that the case involves serious allegations that must be determined by the courts.
Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, who was referenced in Ayodele’s comparison, has played a controversial role in national discourse due to his public advocacy for dialogue with armed groups in northern Nigeria. His engagements have drawn both support and criticism, particularly from security stakeholders and victims of violence, but he has not faced criminal charges in relation to those activities.
As of the time of the broadcast, the Nigerian government had not issued a formal response to Primate Ayodele’s latest remarks. Authorities have previously maintained that matters involving Nnamdi Kanu remain strictly within judicial jurisdiction and must be resolved through legal processes rather than public or political pressure.
Public reactions to the cleric’s comments have continued across social media platforms, reflecting Nigeria’s broader divisions over issues of security governance, justice administration, and regional tensions. While some observers interpret his remarks as a call for equal treatment under the law, others argue that comparisons between separate cases risk oversimplifying complex legal and security matters.
The ongoing debate underscores persistent national sensitivities surrounding detention, counterinsurgency policy, and the role of religious voices in political discourse. With Kanu’s trial still ongoing in federal court, attention remains focused on judicial proceedings as stakeholders continue to call for resolution within constitutional frameworks.
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