The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has backed the renewed call by former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, for the release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The group also criticised Chukwuma Soludo after comments made by his media aide, Ejimofor Opara, who faulted Obi for demanding Kanu’s freedom.
Obi recently spoke during an engagement with Nigerians in Washington, D.C., where he maintained that Kanu should no longer remain in detention. A video from the event later circulated widely on social media, drawing reactions from different quarters.
Responding to Obi’s remarks, Opara argued that the call for Kanu’s release disregarded judicial decisions both in Nigeria and abroad.
He referred to the case involving Simon Ekpa, who was convicted in Finland on terrorism-related charges and is currently serving a prison sentence.
IPOB, however, rejected the criticism. In a statement released by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, the group accused Soludo of taking a different position from the one he held in the past regarding Kanu’s detention.
According to IPOB, Soludo had previously supported efforts aimed at securing Kanu’s freedom.
The group recalled reports that the governor visited Kanu while he was in the custody of the Department of State Services in January 2023 and publicly expressed support for his release. IPOB also pointed to statements from government officials which, it said, suggested that attempts were being made to resolve the matter.
The separatist group claimed that Soludo’s current position contradicted his earlier actions and accused him of allowing political interests to influence his stance on the issue.
IPOB maintained that its demand for Kanu’s release is based on what it considers a quest for justice rather than a political bargain. The organisation said many Nigerians from different ethnic and religious backgrounds have continued to support calls for Kanu’s freedom.
The group again demanded Kanu’s immediate and unconditional release, insisting that his continued imprisonment remains unfair.
Kanu is currently serving a life sentence after being convicted by the Federal High Court in Abuja in November 2025 on terrorism-related offences.
The court found him guilty on several charges, including terrorism, incitement, membership of a banned organisation and offences connected to separatist activities in the South-East.
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