In a stinging critique of Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has strongly objected to his recent comments dismissing the potential of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release to end insecurity in the South-East region.
In an interview on Arise TV’s “Frank Talk” program, Governor Soludo addressed a range of issues concerning the security situation in Anambra and the broader South-East. The governor controversially suggested that Kanu’s release might not necessarily quell the ongoing instability in the region. Soludo also called for greater collaboration among South-East governors and federal security agencies to address the rising security concerns, stating that there might be deeper issues at play beyond Kanu’s detention.
But IPOB, the separatist group advocating for an independent Biafra state, found these remarks not only counterintuitive but offensive to the collective intelligence of the people. In a statement issued by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, the group accused Soludo of turning his back on previous positions that aligned with calls for Kanu’s release, which the group deemed hypocritical and politically motivated.
“Governor Soludo’s statement, as made in his recent television interview, defies common sense. We thought he understood the gravity of the issues concerning Nnamdi Kanu and the ongoing insecurity in the South-East,” the statement read.
The group argues that Kanu’s release would diminish the legitimacy of any criminal or violent actors who may have been masquerading under the guise of supporting IPOB. “If criminals are hiding under the name of Onyendu (Kanu) to perpetuate violence, then logic dictates that releasing him would strip them of that cover,” the statement further elaborated.
IPOB’s arguments are rooted in the claim that Kanu, whom they regard as their leader, played a central role in addressing what they describe as “foreign invasions” of their ancestral lands by armed herdsmen. “It was Kanu who rallied the people of Biafra, particularly through the efforts of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in defending our villages and farmlands against the murderous rampage of these foreign herders,” the statement insists.
The release of Kanu has been a central demand of IPOB for years, with protests and calls for political pressure to secure his freedom. The group remains adamant that his return could stabilize the region by bringing to a halt violence blamed on armed groups operating under the banner of Biafra, particularly in rural communities.
Despite the wave of opposition to Soludo’s statement, it’s clear that there is division even within the South-East leadership on this issue. Some governors have joined Soludo in pushing for a more cautious approach to Kanu’s release, fearing that it might embolden separatist forces or further escalate tensions in the region. These leaders have often cited concerns about the potential backlash from federal authorities and security agencies in their reluctance to push for Kanu’s freedom.
However, IPOB interprets the hesitance as an extension of the political elite’s refusal to address the root causes of the region’s deep-seated grievances, such as economic deprivation and marginalization.
Governor Soludo, who has been the subject of much criticism from IPOB and its supporters in the past, was described as “misguided” and “politically aligned” with those opposed to Kanu’s release. “It seems the governor is siding with those politicians and entities seeking to keep our leader behind bars,” the IPOB statement charged.
The group also made reference to Soludo’s previous commitment to the “non-kinetic” initiatives, which involved tackling the region’s security issues without relying solely on force. According to IPOB, the governor’s shift in position undermines his earlier commitment to peaceful resolutions of conflicts within the region. “Is the governor now abandoning the cause for peace and reconciliation?” the group questioned.
In support of their argument, IPOB pointed to Soludo’s past actions, noting that he spent a considerable period in Abuja during the height of the “killer herders” crisis that plagued parts of the South-East. They contend that during this time, it was IPOB and the ESN that effectively curbed the violent incursions. “Soludo was in the comfort of Abuja when our villages were being overrun,” the group declared.
IPOB’s statement also included an audacious challenge to critics who doubt the power of Kanu’s influence over the South-East’s security situation. The group issued a bold ultimatum, vowing that if Kanu were to be released and if security did not improve dramatically within two weeks, they would cease to exist. “This is how confident we are in the leadership of our people and our unwavering determination to protect the land of Biafra,” the statement asserted.
The indigenous rights group ended their declaration with a demand for a clear position from the South-East Governors Forum. IPOB is calling on the governors to openly state whether they are in favor of Kanu’s release or if they intend to continue resisting it for political reasons. “Let them stop hiding behind vague rhetoric; it’s time for the South-East governors to take a stand,” the group urged.
While the controversy rages on, it is clear that the discussion over Nnamdi Kanu’s release will remain a polarizing issue in the political and security landscape of the South-East. With IPOB and its allies rallying for Kanu’s freedom as a key to regional stability, and state governors like Soludo taking a more cautious approach, the debate is likely to intensify in the coming months, particularly as more dialogue is expected from the federal government.
