The debate over the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has once again gained momentum as the World Igbo Congress (WIC) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider a political resolution to his case.
Kanu, who was first arrested in 2015 and later granted bail in 2017, was re-arrested in 2021 and extradited from Kenya under controversial circumstances. He is currently facing charges of terrorism and treasonable felony, with his prolonged detention by the Department of State Services (DSS) fueling tension and unease across the South-East.
Speaking during 90MinutesAfrica, a programme hosted by Rudolf Okonkwo on Sunday, WIC Chairman, Festus Okere, described Kanu’s incarceration as “a slap on the Igbo people.” He warned of the potential consequences if the separatist leader remains in custody indefinitely.
“The greatest slap that Ndigbo has gotten from the Nigerian government is the incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu,” Okere said. “I don’t want to issue a warning to anybody, but if Nnamdi Kanu dies in detention, only God knows what the consequences would be. We call on President Bola Tinubu to explore political solutions to free Nnamdi Kanu, just as has been done for other Nigerians from other ethnic groups.”
Okere also highlighted the organisation’s efforts to revive the leadership ideals of Dr. Michael Okpara, the former Premier of the defunct Eastern Region. According to him, Okpara’s era, often described as the golden age of the region, was defined by discipline, integrity, and a commitment to industrial and social development.
Echoing this sentiment, WIC Vice Chairman, Basil Onwukwe, called on the South-East to reject what he termed “bastardised leadership” and instead embrace leaders who embody Okpara’s vision for industrialisation and regional growth.
Founded in 1994, the World Igbo Congress serves as an umbrella body for Igbos in the diaspora, advocating for the rights, development, and unity of the region. Its renewed call for Kanu’s release underscores the deepening frustration within the Igbo community over the federal government’s handling of the IPOB leader’s case, as well as the urgent need for reconciliation and political dialogue to address lingering grievances.
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