An inter-religious group called the Concerned Igbo Ministers Commission has publicly accused the governors of the South-East region of Nigeria of conspiring to keep Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in detention for political reasons.
The group, which includes both Christian and other religious leaders, believes that Kanu’s prolonged imprisonment is part of a larger plan to marginalize the Igbo people.
In a statement released on October 9, 2024, and signed by the group’s President/Coordinator, Rev. Tony Uzo Anthony, along with the General Secretary, Apostle Tony Osuji, the religious leaders called on various sectors of society to join in condemning what they called a “demonic scheme” against the Igbo people. They urged traditional rulers, religious figures, and the international community to rally together in support of Kanu and pressure the government for his release.
The statement reads, “We read with keen interest how the Kanu case has taken on a new dimension, given that the presiding judge has openly refused to obey a Supreme Court decision on the matter. Kanu remains illegally incarcerated in Nigeria, while other individuals who committed significant crimes have been released.
“Surprisingly, the same sitting judge, who recused herself, revealed to Sam Amadi over two years ago that the charges against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu were politically motivated and baseless. Given this knowledge, why did she choose to confront Kanu with such heinousness?
“We as a group now believe that the South-East governors are involved in a conspiracy to keep Kanu in perpetual detention for political reasons.
“We publicly accuse the governors of a scheme to detain our son, Kanu, before the end of next year and release him to help President Bola Ahmed Tinubu win the South-East and South-South states.
“South-East governors and Mr President shouldn’t think that we are ignorant of their activities or conspiracies, and also know that no one knows what God has in stock for us.
“Today, we are appealing for our diaspora brothers and sisters to contact Kenya, Britain, South-East governors, and Mr President to persuade them to release Kanu, who has done nothing wrong.
“It appears that those who don’t want peace are the South-East governors, who currently profit from security votes. If you want peace, like our son, Kanu, why not visit him, speak with him, and find solutions to put an end to the instability in the South-East?
“We urge our friends in Nigeria to reject this evil, the traditional rulers, religious leaders, pressure groups, and the world community to come together and condemn this demonic scheme against Ndi Igbo. Whatever happens to our son, Kanu, you all will be held liable.”
