The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, warning that political promises of support from the South-East ahead of the 2027 elections would not hold unless the issue is addressed.
The group made its position known during its Imeobi meeting and General Assembly held at the Ohanaeze National Secretariat in Enugu on Thursday. Speaking at the gathering, the President-General of Ohanaeze, John Azuta-Mbata, said the continued detention of Kanu remains a major concern for Igbo people across Nigeria and in the diaspora.
Kanu, who leads IPOB, is currently in custody following his conviction on charges related to treason. His arrest and prolonged detention have remained a sensitive political and security issue, particularly in the South-East, where agitation for self-determination has grown in recent years.
Addressing members at the meeting, Mbata declared that Kanu’s detention goes beyond the individual, insisting that it reflects the feelings of marginalisation among the Igbo people.
“I have told the government that the Nnamdi Kanu that is in jail, it is the entire Igbo land that is there,” Mbata said. “There is no Igbo man who is happy that Kanu is in incarceration.”
He warned that some individuals claiming to speak for the region may be misleading the Federal Government by promising electoral support without addressing key concerns.
“Let our people stop deceiving the Federal Government,” he added. “We are calling on the government of Tinubu to release Kanu. This is the minimal demand of Ndi Igbo.”
The statement comes as political activities gradually begin to build up ahead of the 2027 general elections. Analysts say the South-East region, which has often complained of marginalisation in national politics, may again play a crucial role in determining alliances and voting patterns.
Ohanaeze’s position suggests that the continued detention of Kanu could influence political participation and trust in the electoral process within the region.
Beyond the call for Kanu’s release, Mbata also addressed broader national issues, including the ongoing discussions about restructuring and state creation. He noted that proposals for additional states have been welcomed by the group.
“Additional state creation is a welcome development. We are happy that it is receiving attention,” he said, without giving further details.
The Ohanaeze leader also used the opportunity to speak against what he described as the stereotyping of Igbo people in different parts of the country. According to him, such perceptions are harmful and do not reflect the true values of the Igbo nation.
At the same time, he urged Igbo people living outside their homeland to conduct themselves in a responsible manner and respect the customs of their host communities.
“We urge our people to be law-abiding and to be sensitive to the sensibilities of their host communities wherever they may find themselves,” Mbata said.
He stressed that the behaviour of Igbo people in other parts of Nigeria and abroad should reflect the values they were raised with, warning against actions that could damage the image of the group.
“It is wrong for Igbo to go to other people’s homes and behave as if there are no core values that our people prioritise,” he said. “It is what you have gained from home that you take outside.”
Mbata also addressed Igbo people in the diaspora, reminding them that their conduct matters in shaping how the world sees the Igbo nation.
“Your representation matters. Let your actions reflect the values we hold dear in Igbo land,” he said.
Another major issue highlighted at the meeting was the preservation of Igbo language and culture. Mbata described language as a key part of identity and warned that it is under threat.
According to him, recent reports, including one by the UNESCO, have indicated that the Igbo language is gradually declining and could become endangered if urgent steps are not taken.
“Our language is our identity. Let us preserve it for prosperity,” he said. “Let us promote it in our homes, in our schools, in our communities.”
To address the challenge, Ohanaeze said it has taken steps to promote Igbo language and culture through education. Mbata revealed that the organisation has established professorial chairs in four universities dedicated to the study of Igbo language and culture.
He added that more initiatives are being planned, including scholarships for students who choose to study the language at the university level.
“We will do more. We are going to award scholarships for the study of Igbo language in universities,” he said.
In addition, the group is exploring digital solutions to reach younger generations, especially those born and raised outside Nigeria.
“On our website, we are trying to start schools so that those of our people in the diaspora, their children can study Igbo language online,” Mbata explained.
Mbata also used the platform to send a message to Igbo political leaders, urging them to rise to the expectations of their people. He called on them to demonstrate courage, vision, and accountability in their leadership.
“Igbo politicians must be bold, visionary, and accountable to the people,” he said. “The people are watching, and history and posterity will judge them by their actions.”
The issue of Nnamdi Kanu’s detention has remained a major talking point in Nigeria’s political and security landscape. While the Federal Government has maintained its position based on legal proceedings, several groups and leaders from the South-East have continued to call for his release, either through political dialogue or legal means.
In recent years, the South-East has witnessed periodic unrest, including sit-at-home orders linked to IPOB activities, which have affected economic activities and daily life in the region. Many stakeholders believe that resolving the Kanu issue could help reduce tensions and restore normalcy.
As the country moves closer to another election cycle, the position of groups like Ohanaeze Ndigbo is expected to play a role in shaping political discussions, especially in the South-East.
For now, the message from the organisation is clear: the release of Nnamdi Kanu remains a top priority, and any political engagement with the region must take that demand into account.