Ohanaeze Ndigbo Urges Amnesty Nnamdi Kanu, calling on President Tinubu to release IPOB leader as part of efforts to promote national unity

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grant amnesty to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, urging that his release be considered on or before June 12, 2026 as part of broader national reconciliation efforts.

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In a statement issued by factional Deputy President-General Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and National Spokesman Chief Thompson Ohia, the group described the proposed release as a potential step towards healing long-standing grievances in the Southeast and strengthening unity across the country.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo argued that Ohanaeze Ndigbo Urges Amnesty Nnamdi Kanu reflects a push for dialogue rather than division, stating that Kanu’s ideological stance has often been misunderstood.

The organisation linked his advocacy to the concept of a “Biafra of the Mind,” attributed to the late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, which emphasises awareness, equity, and self-determination within a united Nigeria.

The group further noted that Kanu’s early activism, which it associated with non-violent outreach under Ralph Uwazuruike, evolved over time amid shifting political and security dynamics.

It suggested that these changes contributed to differing public interpretations of his activities.

Addressing political concerns, Ohanaeze dismissed fears that Kanu’s release could destabilise the country or affect electoral outcomes in 2027.

Instead, it argued that such a move could enhance the president’s standing in the Southeast by demonstrating a commitment to reconciliation and inclusivity.

The organisation also alleged that opposition figures are politically capitalising on Kanu’s continued detention to influence voter sentiment, though these claims remain unverified and form part of broader political discourse.

While commending the Tinubu administration for ongoing infrastructure projects in the Southeast, including road rehabilitation efforts, Ohanaeze maintained that granting amnesty to Kanu would carry greater symbolic weight and foster trust between the region and the federal government.

Reaffirming its position, the group expressed confidence that Nnamdi Kanu would embrace constructive engagement if released, contributing positively to national conversations rather than conflict.

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Ohanaeze concluded that granting amnesty could mark a “new chapter of trust, unity, and cooperative nation-building” in Nigeria.