Igbo Ministers Fault South-East Governors Over Inaction on Nnamdi Kanu

The Concerned Igbo Ministers Commission (CIMC) has criticised the continued silence of most South-East governors over the prolonged detention of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, describing their inaction as a betrayal of the Igbo people.

In a statement issued by its President, Rev. Tony Uzor, the commission said it was alarmed that, despite repeated assurances, only Abia State Governor Alex Otti has taken concrete steps to engage President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in search of a political and humane solution to Kanu’s case.

According to the group, following the conviction judgment delivered by Justice Omotosho, South-East governors promised to urgently meet the President. “Till today, only one governor has honoured that commitment,” the statement said, adding that excuses based on delays or logistics were no longer acceptable.

The CIMC accused several Igbo political leaders of lacking sincerity, alleging that their public statements have not been matched by action. The commission further claimed that fear and political self-interest are behind the silence, arguing that some politicians feel threatened by Kanu’s popularity and the loyalty he commands among ordinary Igbo people.

The group maintained that Kanu is innocent and has consistently acted in the interest of the South-East. It defended the establishment of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), stating that it emerged as a community-driven response to insecurity when state authorities allegedly failed to protect rural communities.

On the issue of sit-at-home protests, the commission dismissed claims that Kanu ordered the weekly shutdowns. It said the actions were spontaneous reactions by the people and stressed that Kanu made repeated efforts to stop them.

The statement recalled that in 2022, during a visit by Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo to Kanu at the DSS facility, Kanu allegedly appealed to be allowed to address the public and call for an end to sit-at-home and violence. According to the commission, the request was rejected by the DSS, a situation it said allowed criminal elements to exploit public anger.

The CIMC also cited instances in open court where Kanu reportedly called for an end to sit-at-home and warned that anyone enforcing such actions was not acting on his instructions. It questioned allegations linking Kanu to insecurity in the region, arguing that it was illogical to accuse a man in custody of orchestrating violence across the South-East.

Expressing frustration with the South-East Governors’ Forum, the commission said repeated promises to meet the President had yielded no results. It warned that history would judge leaders who, it said, chose political convenience over justice.

The group called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to personally intervene to resolve the matter and urged Igbo governors to either take decisive action or stop misleading the public. It also appealed to Nigerians to reject misinformation and support the cause of justice.

The statement concluded that the case of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu transcends individual interest and speaks to broader issues of justice, dignity, and the future of the Igbo people.

The statement was signed by Rev. Tony Uzor, President of the Concerned Igbo Ministers Commission (CIMC).