Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has claimed that the continued detention of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is being influenced by some South-East politicians who believe his release could threaten their political ambitions.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Thursday, Sowore said he was aware of discussions from the early days of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, where some political figures in the region opposed Kanu’s release out of fear it might affect election outcomes in Imo State.
He noted that although some leaders publicly call for Kanu’s release, many of them secretly hold opposing views. Sowore added that his recent attempts to reach out to South-East governors and other political figures for joint action were largely ignored.
“I have said before that Kanu’s situation is due to certain individuals in the Southeast who decided that freeing him would endanger their political future. I’ve known this since Tinubu first became president.
“I contacted Soludo, whom I know personally—no reply. I also reached out to Alex Otti, who was once a columnist for Sahara Reporters—no response.
“The only minimal response I got was that we shouldn’t have involved them the way we did. I also reached out to Peter Obi, but I was told he was in Rome,” Sowore stated.
He, however, praised Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe for backing the effort, recalling that the lawmaker had suffered politically in the past for standing as Kanu’s surety.
Sowore further observed that while many young people across the country support Kanu’s release, South-East political, traditional, and religious leaders have yet to adopt a unified stance.
He added that the Nigerian government seems to be resisting the increasing public pressure demanding Kanu’s freedom.
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