Obidigbo Urges Tinubu To Resolve Kanu Case With Political Solution

Elder statesman and president of Osisioma Foundation, Dr Chike Obidigbo, has called on President Bola Tinubu to adopt a political solution to the case of detained Indigenous People of Biafra leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

He warned that ignoring the issue could destabilise the South East and escalate into a wider national crisis.

Obidigbo, in a statement he personally signed, expressed concern over Kanu’s worsening health and criticised the silence of Nigeria’s political class. He said the lack of response from South East leaders contrasts sharply with how politicians in other regions close ranks to defend their interests.

He compared Kanu’s struggle to that of South Africa’s late Nelson Mandela, noting that while Mandela was jailed for seeking freedom, Kanu faces prosecution for demanding justice and restructuring in Nigeria. Obidigbo also pointed out that individuals who once fought against the Nigerian state had been granted amnesty, while armed groups had been received in peace talks, yet Kanu remains in solitary confinement.

The elder statesman stressed that many Nigerians have long questioned the country’s political structure, especially after the expiration of the 1914 amalgamation framework in 2014. He argued that Kanu should not be singled out for punishment over views shared by other prominent voices.

He cautioned that further neglect of the IPOB leader’s health could push Nigeria into unrest reminiscent of past conflicts. He also criticised the media for not paying enough attention to the matter, urging journalists and civic groups to speak out more firmly.

Obidigbo appealed to the Department of State Services to grant Kanu access to specialised medical care. He added that fear of political backlash has kept many Igbo politicians from speaking publicly about the issue.

Directing his message to Tinubu, he urged the president to extend the kind of political solution applied in resolving the Rivers State crisis to Kanu’s case. He warned that failure to do so could fuel suspicions that the government intends to destabilise the South East to prevent elections in the region.