South East Leaders Urged to Follow Sunday Igboho's Example for Kanu's Release
A prominent public affairs analyst has outlined specific steps that political and community leaders from Nigeria's South East region should take to secure the freedom of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Donald Okwuosa made these revelations during an exclusive interview following Kanu's recent sentencing.
Court Sentences IPOB Leader to Life Imprisonment
The Federal High Court in Abuja delivered a landmark judgment on Thursday, November 20, 2025, sentencing Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment on terrorism-related charges. Justice James Omotosho presided over the case that has generated significant national and international attention. The ruling has sparked various reactions across the country, particularly in the South East where Kanu maintains substantial support.
Using Sunday Igboho's Case as Blueprint
Okwuosa emphasized that South Eastern leaders should carefully study how Yoruba leaders successfully secured the release of Sunday Igboho, who had been detained for advocating an Oduduwa Republic. "When Sunday Igboho from the southwest pushed for an Oduduwa Republic, he was detained under the command of President Muhammadu Buhari," Okwuosa recalled. "We saw how southwestern leaders and politicians synergized to press for his immediate release. The likes of Chief Femi Fani-Kayode appeared in court to stand with Igboho. The entire Yoruba nation did not sit back until Igboho was released."
The analyst pointed to what he described as a concerning pattern in the government's approach to security matters. "We have witnessed the release, amnesty, and recruitment of known terrorists and Boko Haram bandits into the Nigerian military under President Muhammadu Buhari," Okwuosa stated. "On that premise, let them press for the release of Nnamdi Kanu. You don't pardon known killers and sentence the innocent."
International Dimension and Political Reactions
Okwuosa also raised questions about the United Kingdom's silence regarding Kanu's situation, noting that Kanu holds British citizenship and spent most of his formative years in the UK. "He is equally a British Citizen, who has spent the majority of his youthful years in the United Kingdom. Yes, his parents are from Afara Ibeku in Abia state, but he grew up and schooled in the UK, also based in the UK," the analyst explained.
The case has drawn reactions from prominent political figures, including Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate who expressed dissatisfaction with the government's handling of Kanu's case. Obi acknowledged that the concerns raised by Kanu were legitimate and called for reconciliation. However, the presidency criticized Obi's stance, with Olusegun Dada, Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on social media, describing it as "a calculated attempt to politicise a national security issue."
As the situation develops, pressure mounts on South Eastern leaders to adopt a unified approach in seeking Kanu's release, mirroring the strategy that proved successful in Sunday Igboho's case.
