The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has criticised governors, traditional rulers, and political leaders from the South-East for what it described as their silence and failure to demand the release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
In a statement on Monday signed by the group’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, IPOB alleged that the region’s political leaders had abandoned Kanu despite his continued detention by the Federal Government.
The group compared the stance of South-East leaders with that of politicians from other regions, claiming that northern politicians and Yoruba leaders had defended figures such as Sunday Igboho and Omoyele Sowore during their respective ordeals.
“The governors of Igboland and traditional rulers have chosen to remain indifferent instead of pressing for the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who has already been discharged and acquitted by a court of law,” the statement read.
IPOB further alleged that some South-East leaders had placed personal political interests above the collective will of their people. It also drew on historical references, including the 1803 Eboe Landing, to emphasise what it called the resilience and defiance of the Igbo spirit.
The group reiterated its position that Kanu’s continued detention was unlawful, stressing that history would judge those who failed to act on his behalf.
“His continued incarceration is an abomination, and no amount of betrayal will erase the truth,” IPOB said.
Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since 2021, is facing charges related to treasonable felony. His case has drawn widespread reactions across the South-East, with groups and individuals at different times calling for his release.
