Ohanaeze Ndigbo disassociates itself from planned protests calling for Nnamdi Kanu's release

IGBO pan-cultural organisation Ohanaeze Ndigbo has disassociated itself from a planned nationwide protest organised on October 20 by Atiku Abubakar and Omoyele Sowore calling for the release of Indigenous people of Biafra (Ipob) leader Nnamdi Kanu.

Highly controversial, Mr Kanu has been campaigning for the recreation of the independent republic of Biafra which broke away from Nigeria between July 1967 and January 1970 during the civil war. His campaign, which has led to the phenomenal growth of Ipob, has set him at odds with the Nigerian government who had him arrested and put on trial for treason.

While the case was still pending, Mr Kanu was granted bail in April 2017 on health grounds but skipped his bail after flouting the conditions given to him by the court and fled Nigeria. However, in a dramatic development in June 2021, Mr Kanu was abducted by security agents in Kenya and flown to Nigeria, where he was handed over to the State Security Service.

Since then, Mr Kanu has been held in detention as the legal battle rages on in court and despite the change in government with President Bola Tinubu taking over from President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023, the charges have not been dropped. Now, a protest has been organised next week to call for his release and it appears that Igbo leaders have decided not to join it.

According to Ohanaeze Ndigbo, its leaders, along with the southeast governors and Igbo ministers, are opposed to the planned Sowore-Atiku-orchestrated protests. In a statement issued by the Ohanaeze factional deputy-president-general Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Chief Chinyereze and Thompson Ohia, despite this, they have a grave sense of responsibility and a profound commitment to the well-being of the zone and the stability of the country.

Their statement read: ”We view this purported demonstration with extreme suspicion and firmly believe it to be a thinly veiled attempt at fomenting unrest, destabilising the government of President Bola Tinubu and exploiting the legitimate concerns of Ndigbo for nefarious political ends. Our considered assessment, informed by credible intelligence and meticulous analysis, reveals that this proposed action is nothing more than a cynical ploy designed to instigate a repeat of the EndSars riots, ultimately aimed at undermining the current administration.

“In light of these grave concerns, we unequivocally reject the deception and advocate for a peaceful resolution of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release through political solutions and the established judicial processes. We vehemently denounce any attempt by politicians, particularly those with a demonstrable history of acting against Igbo interests, to utilise the situation for their political gain.

“The sudden and unsolicited display of uneasy affection for Igbo causes by individuals previously indifferent or even hostile to our community raises significant red flags. We, the Igbo people, are too astute and discerning to be ensnared by the Atiku-Sowore booby trap.

“We call to denounce and avoid planned unrest. We implore all Nigerians, particularly those who cherish truth, justice and democracy, to distance themselves from the planned protests, riots and acts of civil disobedience scheduled for 20th October 2025. Ndigbo must not be used as pawns in any political game orchestrated by Atiku Abubakar and his allies, the ultimate aim being to destabilize the Tinubu administration.

 "We emphatically state that this planned disruption does not serve the interests of Ndigbo, nor does it contribute to the cause of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The Atiku-Sowore scheme will undoubtedly undermine the ongoing judicial proceedings and the ongoing political discussions and negotiations, which Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has wisely entrusted to a team led by Hon Obi Aguocha.

“We are deeply concerned that the planned protests and riots will endanger the lives and property of Nigerians, a tragic scenario we witnessed during the EndSars riots. The potential for widespread violence, looting and the destruction of critical infrastructure is a grave concern that cannot be ignored.”