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A prominent elder statesman and President of the Osisioma Foundation, Dr Chike Obidigbo, has called on President Bola Tinubu to promptly adopt a political resolution to the ongoing case involving the incarcerated leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. He warned that failure to act could lead to instability in the South East and possibly ignite broader national unrest.
In a statement he personally endorsed, Obidigbo criticised what he termed the political elite’s silence regarding Kanu’s declining health, warning that such apathy could lead to resentment in the South East and provoke disturbances reminiscent of the era of the Nigerian civil war.
He accused political figures from the South East of neglecting to speak up about Kanu’s condition, contrasting their inaction with how politicians in other parts of the country unite to resolve regional issues.
“The troubling health condition of the IPOB leader should be a source of great worry to those in authority in Nigeria,” Obidigbo stated.
The elder statesman drew a parallel between Kanu and the late Nelson Mandela of South Africa, noting that while Mandela was imprisoned for seeking the liberation of his people, Kanu is being prosecuted for advocating fairness and justice within Nigeria.
“We have seen people who took up arms in insurrection against Nigeria being offered amnesty. We have just been treated to a worrisome sight of armed bandits being received on a red carpet to discuss a possible end to their villainy and murder of citizens.
“Seeing all these, it beggars belief that Nnamdi Kanu is being kept in solitary confinement for calling for restructuring of the country through referendum, which is the highest expression of democratic choice,” he said.
Obidigbo further noted that numerous Nigerians, including influential individuals, have consistently called for reforms in Nigeria’s political structure, especially following the expiration of the amalgamation arrangement in 2014.
“Why should Kanu suffer double jeopardy for expressing frustration over Nigeria’s contradictions? Is he the only one expressing such concerns over the malformed entity called Nigeria?” he asked.
The President of the Osisioma Foundation warned that continued neglect of Kanu’s situation might steer Nigeria into disorder. He pointed out that allowing Kanu’s health to worsen could potentially trigger conflict resembling earlier national upheavals.
Obidigbo also criticised the Nigerian press for failing to adequately highlight Kanu’s situation. He urged members of the media and civil society to raise their voices.
He therefore appealed to the Department of State Services (DSS) to permit Kanu to access specialised medical attention to help alleviate the growing concern over his condition.
“I am compelled to believe that it is this intolerance of dissent that has frightened Igbo politicians, especially elected representatives, away from talking about Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the injustice against his cause,” he said.
Addressing President Tinubu directly, Obidigbo encouraged him to extend to Kanu the same political approach that was employed to resolve the political impasse in Rivers State.
“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.
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