Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah has declared that only a political approach can resolve the ongoing detention of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, urging South-East stakeholders to unite behind this strategy.
The governor made the remarks during a Tuesday broadcast announcing his controversial switch from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a move that has reshaped the region’s political landscape.
Governor Mbah revealed that addressing Kanu’s detention was among his top priorities when he took office. According to the governor, he met with President Bola Tinubu just one week into his administration specifically to discuss the IPOB leader’s case.
“It took barely a week after I assumed office that I had a meeting with the President, and I was very specific when I came out to address the press that I also raised the issue of Nnamdi Kanu with the President,” Mbah stated during the broadcast.
The governor emphasized that his stance on the matter has remained unchanged throughout his tenure, consistently advocating for a political rather than purely legal resolution to the contentious issue.
Mbah stressed that achieving Kanu’s release would require the South-East region to present a unified front to federal authorities. He called on stakeholders across the zone to first embrace the concept of a political solution before working out implementation details.
“First of all, we need to accept the concept that this is the right thing to do,” the governor explained. “Then, the details of implementation will be worked out because there will certainly be details. It is not something you can possibly outline now, but it’s for us to even accept the concept that this is the way to move forward.”
The governor’s comments suggest he believes a coordinated regional approach stands the best chance of securing Kanu’s release, rather than fragmented individual efforts.
Nnamdi Kanu has been in detention since June 2021 following his arrest and return to Nigeria under circumstances that remain disputed. His continued incarceration has been a source of tension in the South-East region, with various leaders and groups advocating for his release through different approaches.
Governor Mbah’s public statement marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over how best to address Kanu’s situation, particularly coming as it does alongside his defection to the ruling party. Critics and supporters alike will be watching to see whether his new political alignment translates into tangible progress on the issue he has highlighted as a priority.
