Elder statesman and President of the Osisioma Foundation, Dr. Chike Obidigbo, has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently adopt a political solution regarding the detention of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Obidigbo warned that failure to act could destabilize the South-East and trigger wider national tensions.
In a statement personally signed by him, Obidigbo criticized Nigeria’s political class for remaining silent over Kanu’s deteriorating health, arguing that neglect could fuel resentment and unrest reminiscent of the civil war years. He noted that politicians from other regions have actively sought resolutions to local challenges while South-East leaders remain largely inactive.
“The troubling health condition of the IPOB leader should be a source of great worry to those in authority in Nigeria,” Obidigbo said. He compared Kanu to South Africa’s late anti-apartheid icon, Nelson Mandela, emphasizing that while Mandela was jailed for seeking freedom, Kanu faces prosecution for demanding equity and justice in Nigeria.
Obidigbo further highlighted the perceived double standards in Nigeria, pointing out that armed bandits and insurgents have received amnesty or dialogue, while Kanu remains in solitary confinement for advocating a referendum and restructuring of the country. He questioned why citizens expressing legitimate concerns over Nigeria’s political structure should face such treatment.
Warning of potential chaos, the elder statesman urged the Department of State Services (DSS) to provide Kanu access to specialist medical care. He also appealed to journalists and civic leaders to speak out on the matter, stressing that ignoring Kanu’s plight could exacerbate tensions in the South-East.
Directly addressing President Tinubu, Obidigbo urged the application of a political solution similar to that used to resolve the Rivers State crisis. “Unless that is done, the general impression that the President wants to plunge South East into confusion to avoid election in the region may become plausible,” he warned.
