Nnamdi Kanu: IPOB knocks Soludo over aide’s comments on Peter Obi

The Indigenous People of Biafra defended the calls made by Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, for the release of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, on Monday.

The group also criticized Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, following remarks made by his Special Adviser on Media, Ejimofor Opara, who condemned Obi for advocating Kanu's release.

Obi reiterated his demand for Kanu’s release during a recent interaction with Nigerians in Washington, D.C., United States, asserting that there was no valid reason for the continued detention of the IPOB leader.

According to the Obidient Movement, this event occurred a few days prior.

In a widely circulated video on social media, the former governor of Anambra State stated that he has consistently argued against Kanu's continued custody.

In response to Obi’s statements, Opara characterized them as a “major slap” not only against the Nigerian judiciary but also against the judiciary in Finland, where Simon Ekpa, whom he referred to as Kanu’s protégé, was tried, convicted, and is currently serving a six-year sentence for terrorism-related charges.

Meanwhile, in a statement released by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, IPOB accused Soludo of inconsistency and political hypocrisy, claiming that the governor had previously supported calls for Kanu’s release.

IPOB pointed to Soludo’s reported visit to Kanu while he was in the custody of the Department of State Services in January 2023, during which he allegedly advocated for Kanu’s release and expressed his willingness to act as surety for him.

The group also referenced comments from state officials indicating ongoing efforts to secure Kanu’s freedom.

The organization expressed outrage at what appeared to be a shift in Soludo’s stance, labeling his aide’s criticism of Obi’s recent comments as politically motivated.

“What has changed is your ambition,” the statement declared, accusing the governor of political inconsistency and betrayal of the Igbo cause

The group said its position is supported by “well-meaning Nigerians across ethnic and religious lines” who have continued to demand Kanu’s freedom.

Reiterating its stance, IPOB called for the “immediate and unconditional release” of Kanu, describing his continued detention as unjust.

Kanu is presently serving a life sentence after being convicted on terrorism-related charges by a Federal High Court in Abuja in November 2025. The court found the leader of IPOB guilty on several counts related to terrorism, incitement, membership in a proscribed organization, and offenses associated with separatist activities in the South-East.

He received a life sentence for the primary charges, with additional prison terms for other counts to be served concurrently. Although prosecutors sought the death penalty, the court decided on life imprisonment instead.

Kanu has since rejected the ruling and has filed an appeal, contesting both his conviction and the sentence imposed.

His legal representatives characterized the verdict as a “travesty of justice” and argued that the prosecution did not prove the allegations against him beyond a reasonable doubt.

The IPOB leader was initially arrested in 2015 due to charges related to his separatist activities and was granted bail in 2017.

He subsequently fled Nigeria following a military operation at his family residence in Abia State and was re-arrested in Kenya in 2021 before being extradited back to Nigeria, an action that ignited legal and diplomatic disputes.

His prosecution and ongoing detention have been the focus of significant public discourse, with supporters labeling him a political prisoner, while the Federal Government maintains that he must be held accountable for alleged acts of terrorism and violence associated with the separatist movement.