Kanunta Kanu, the younger brother of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has spoken out in support of Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom.
In a post on X, Kanunta backed Badenoch’s statement that she is “more Yoruba than Nigeria.” He went further to declare that, like Badenoch, his brother, Nnamdi Kanu, is “more Biafra than Nigeria.”
Kanunta’s words came as part of a passionate defense of his brother, who has been in solitary confinement for the past three and a half years. Nnamdi Kanu has long advocated for the independence of Biafra, a region that seceded from Nigeria during the civil war in the late 1960s.
Kanunta’s message was a direct rebuke of the Nigerian state. In his post, he expressed his belief that Kemi Badenoch’s comment was correct. According to Kanunta, it signifies that Nigeria, as a unified country, is dead.
He posted: “@Keir_Starmer @FCDOGovUK @UKParliament @UKHouseofLords @UKinNigeria The statement made by @KemiBadenoch is absolutely correct, she is more Yoruba than Nigeria meaning that Nigeria is dead.”
His message did not stop there. Kanunta used the opportunity to further criticize the Nigerian government, particularly its treatment of his brother. He pointed out that Nnamdi Kanu has been held in solitary confinement for years, simply for expressing his views about Biafra’s importance over Nigeria.
“On the same note, #MaziNnamdikanu is being held in solitary confinement for the past three and half years for saying, he is more #Biafra than Nigeria,” Kanunta wrote. “The UKGOV sat on his neck, what a shame.”
Kanunta’s comments are a continuation of his family’s long-standing support for Biafra’s independence. His brother, Nnamdi Kanu, has been an outspoken advocate for the secession of Biafra from Nigeria, a movement that has stirred controversy and led to frequent clashes with the Nigerian government.
The IPOB, led by Nnamdi Kanu, is a group that has campaigned for the independence of Biafra, which was a region in southeastern Nigeria that attempted to secede from the country during the Nigerian Civil War in the 1960s. Though the war ended in 1970, the call for Biafra’s independence has not died down, with various groups, including IPOB, continuing to demand self-determination for the region.
The Nigerian government has consistently viewed such calls for secession as a threat to the country’s unity and has been firm in its stance against groups like IPOB. In 2015, Nnamdi Kanu was arrested, and he has been in and out of detention ever since, facing charges related to his activities advocating for Biafra’s independence.
Badenoch’s remark about being “more Yoruba than Nigeria” struck a nerve with many, especially within the Nigerian diaspora. In her own statement, she pointed out that her upbringing in Nigeria was marked by corruption, insecurity, and fear. As the daughter of Nigerian immigrants, Badenoch has often spoken about her experiences in the country, criticizing its political class for their abuse of power.
Badenoch’s remarks in 2022 about Nigerian politicians’ misuse of public funds were widely reported. She had also accused the country’s leaders of contributing to its insecurity and poverty by enriching themselves at the expense of the people. Her comments were met with both support and criticism, especially from Nigerians who took offense at her harsh assessment of the nation.
