ABUJA – The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has strongly criticized the life imprisonment sentence handed to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, warning that the judgment could exacerbate tensions in the Southeast and undermine national unity.
In a statement issued on Friday by its spokesman, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, the organization expressed deep disappointment with the ruling delivered by Justice James Omotosho, describing it as a development capable of inflaming sentiments in a region already grappling with fragility.
The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, while appealing for calm amid rising public anger, has called on well-meaning Nigerians to join in urging President Bola Tinubu to pursue a political resolution to the crisis.
“Beyond the legal questions, the Igbo nation is deeply troubled by the pattern of harsh treatment meted out in this case, which many perceive as reflective of ethnic bias,” Dr. Chukwu stated. He emphasized that this growing perception is eroding trust in national institutions and striking at the core of the dignity and integrity of the Igbo people.
The organization also linked the worsening insecurity in the Southeast to the prolonged detention of Kanu, noting that his incarceration has become a flashpoint for unrest, frustration, and youth radicalization.
“Ohanaeze is equally alarmed by the worsening insecurity in the Southeast, much of which is tied to the prolonged detention of Kanu. Continued hardline responses will only deepen instability,” the statement read.
Ohanaeze reiterated that a political solution, not “cruel punishment,” remains the most viable path to restoring calm in the region and fostering genuine national reconciliation. It urged President Tinubu to embrace dialogue as a means of addressing the underlying grievances.
“Nigeria stands at a crossroads. Only justice anchored on fairness, sensitivity, and inclusiveness can preserve the unity we all desire,” Chukwu added.
The life sentence for Kanu has ignited significant discourse across the country, with many watching closely to see how the Federal Government will respond to calls for a political settlement amid concerns over regional stability and national cohesion.
