On April 3, 2025, Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), expressed frustration over what he described as neglect by prominent Igbo political leaders. This concern was conveyed by Engr. Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe, the President-General of the Igbo Community Association (ICA) in the Federal Capital Territory, following his visit to Kanu at the Department of State Services (DSS) facility in Abuja.
According to Daily Post, Kanu lamented the lack of proactive advocacy from southeastern leaders and alleged that their silence has contributed to his prolonged detention. He also recalled a similar incident involving MASSOB founder Ralph Uwazurike, who, during his incarceration, received little or no institutional support from the region’s political class.
In a related report, Daily Trust highlighted Kanu’s renewed call for a referendum as a democratic solution to the agitation for Biafra. He emphasized that his intention has always been peaceful — aimed at awakening Igbo consciousness and promoting the right to self-determination. Kanu maintained that any perceived militancy linked to IPOB should be understood in the context of political frustration, not violence.
Channels TV reported that Kanu is hopeful of a favourable court ruling by the end of April 2025. He continues to place confidence in his legal team and hopes that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, known for his past democratic activism, would step in to uphold justice and constitutional freedoms.
Kanu’s remarks come just days after a Federal High Court in Lokoja issued an injunction on March 25, 2025, restraining the DSS and federal authorities from taking further steps in his prosecution until a motion on notice is heard.
This development has reignited political discussions within the Southeast, with some grassroots groups urging Igbo governors and senators to publicly address Kanu’s continued incarceration. “The silence from our elected leaders is deeply worrying,” Ellis-Ezenekwe told Daily Post, adding that community associations are left to bear the burden of advocacy. Observers warn that the ongoing detention could further alienate many Igbo youths, already disillusioned with the national structure. Political analysts have also expressed concern that such neglect might worsen regional divisions and stall meaningful national dialogue.
As legal proceedings continue, pressure is mounting on Southeast leaders to break their silence and engage constructively with the federal government to address the IPOB issue through political and legal frameworks.
