Quick Summary:
Ohanaeze Ndigbo appeals to President Tinubu to release IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu before Democracy Day to foster unity and reconciliation.
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has urged President Bola Tinubu to grant amnesty to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, on or before June 12, 2026, as part of efforts to promote national reconciliation and strengthen unity across Nigeria.
In a statement signed by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the factional Deputy President-General, and Chief Thompson Ohia, the National Spokesman, Ohanaeze said that releasing Kanu on Democracy Day would symbolize a bold commitment to justice, inclusion, and healing decades-old grievances in the Southeast.
‘Biafra Of The Mind,’ Not Secession
Ohanaeze clarified that Kanu’s agitation has been misunderstood, explaining that his ideology aligns with Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu’s vision of a “Biafra of the Mind” — a concept rooted in self-determination through dialogue and socio-political equity within a united Nigeria.
The group traced Kanu’s activism to his early involvement under Ralph Uwazuruike, noting that his initial approach was non-violent and focused on public enlightenment, but later shifted due to rising political and security tensions.
Political And Symbolic Implications
Ohanaeze dismissed fears that Kanu’s release could destabilize the country or affect Tinubu’s 2027 re-election prospects, arguing instead that it would enhance the President’s credibility in the Southeast and demonstrate leadership through reconciliation.
The organization alleged that opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso, are using Kanu’s detention as a political tool to rally Igbo support ahead of the next general elections.
Commendation And Appeal
While commending the Tinubu administration for ongoing infrastructure projects in the Southeast, particularly federal road rehabilitation, Ohanaeze stressed that releasing Kanu would carry greater symbolic and political weight.