The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has blamed governors and politicians of the South East for the travails of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed group, the Indegenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).
IPOB however, exonerated the Tinubu administration of being responsible for the continued detention of Kanu, admitting that Kanu’s fate is a result of the consequential leadership failure within the South East.
In a statement issued on Thursday by Ohanaeze’s factional Secretary-General, Okechukwu lsiguzoro, the group stated that it is imperative to direct the nation’s attention to the grim reality that the stalling of Kanu’s release is rooted in the misguided ambitions of certain South East governors and political leaders, rather than any perceived inaction on the part of the Tinubu administration.
Ohanaeze asserted that the motives of these individuals are marked by a troubling fixation on securing positions for the upcoming 2027 vice oresidential ticket.
“Under the guise of publicly advocating for Kanu’s release, they engage in covert actions that convey a starkly different message to President Tinubu; do not release Nnamdi Kanu immediately.
“This duplicity has not only undermined what could have been a paradigm shift in governmental relations but has also exacerbated the escalating violence and insecurity within South East Nigeria.
“Disturbingly, these conditions have served as a financial boon for these leaders, who benefit from increased security votes allocated to their gubernatorial offices amid the chaos.
“We call upon our people, the Ndigbo to remain vigilant against attempts to undermine the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
“There are alarming indications that an indigenous individual from Imo State is being projected as a Rivers State indigene to manipulate the tenure system, which aims to plant political operatives within Ohanaeze Ndigbo in a bid to influence the forthcoming January 2025 election for the position of president general.
“This calculated move, we fear, is part of a broader scheme to solidify power in anticipation of the 2027 elections.Ohanaeze Ndigbo unambiguously asserts that the naiveté demonstrated by two South East governors regarding their overtures for Kanu’s release needs to be examined critically.
“Moreover, one governor’s neutral stance suggests a troubling prioritization of individual political aspirations over collective safety and progress.
“Remarkably, during the South East governors’ meeting held in Enugu on July 2, 2024—graced by the presence of respected elder statesman, former President Olusegun Obasanjo—commitments were made by these leaders to pursue dialogue with President Tinubu.
“Yet, subsequent actions have revealed an unfortunate sabotage of this pact, and a troubling indifference among other Governors in addressing the rising tide of insecurity across our 95 local government areas.
“The failure to effectively engage with President Tinubu regarding Kanu’s release was not merely a miscalculation; it was an orchestrated and deliberate neglect. Consequently, responsibility must be directed towards the South East governors whose inaction speaks volumes about their lack of dedication to the welfare of our people.
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“We urge the Ndigbo to refrain from directing their frustrations toward President Tinubu for Kanu’s release; rather, they should demand accountability from these leaders about why they failed to secure a meeting with the president after five months of inaction.
“These leaders’ public declarations have proven contradictory and concerning. One governor recently stated that the release of Nnamdi Kanu would not resolve the insecurity challenges in the South East.
“However, he then offered a solution that involves retaining Kanu in the state’s government house—a perplexing assertion that highlights a lack of sincerity and coherence in addressing our security dilemmas.
“Amid these challenges, Ohanaeze Ndigbo commends the individual efforts of those striving to address insecurity through innovative measures, such as initiating amnesty for repentant criminals in their states.
“We also commend the resilience of the Ndigbo people, who, despite widespread leadership failures, choose to maintain a harmonious and peaceful posture while extending tacit support to President Tinubu in navigating these crises.
“As we look to the future, Ohanaeze Ndigbo is steadfast in its commitment to secure the release of Nnamdi Kanu,” the group said.