Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has reiterated his long-held belief that the continued detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, can only be resolved through political dialogue rather than prolonged legal proceedings.
Speaking during a state-wide broadcast on Tuesday, shortly after formally defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Mbah emphasized that his stance on Kanu’s incarceration has remained consistent since he assumed office.
“It took barely a week after I assumed office that I had a meeting with the President,” Mbah said. “I was very specific when I came out to address the press that I raised the issue of Nnamdi Kanu with the President. I believe strongly that the Nnamdi Kanu problem is going to be solved politically.”
The governor explained that his call for a political resolution stems from the need to ensure a sustainable and inclusive approach to addressing grievances in the South-East. According to him, the region must consolidate its position and engage with the federal government constructively to achieve a peaceful outcome.
“With this now, I think it is also an opportunity for the South-East to consolidate our position and make a very strong case for this to be resolved politically,” he said. “First of all, we need to accept the concept that this is the right thing to do. Then, the details of implementation will be worked out because there will certainly be details. It’s for us to even accept that this is the way to move forward.”
Governor Mbah urged political leaders and stakeholders in the South-East to rally around the idea of dialogue, emphasizing that unity of purpose would be essential in persuading federal authorities to consider a political solution.
His comments come amid renewed national debate over Kanu’s prolonged detention, which has drawn criticism from several political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Atiku recently described Kanu’s continued incarceration as “an open sore on the nation’s conscience,” calling for his immediate release and urging the federal government to respect court orders.
Nnamdi Kanu has remained in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his re-arrest in Kenya and subsequent extradition to Nigeria in June 2021. His detention has sparked widespread legal and political controversy, with multiple court orders granting him bail yet to be implemented by the prosecuting authorities.
The IPOB leader is currently facing a seven-count charge related to alleged terrorism activities. Despite the ongoing proceedings, calls for his release continue to grow, with many in the South-East and beyond urging the federal government to embrace dialogue as a means of restoring peace and stability in the region.
