The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, has made a passionate plea to the Federal Government of Nigeria to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), for urgent medical treatment. This call comes amid growing concerns over Kanu's deteriorating health while in custody and underscores the need for a compassionate and political resolution to his prolonged detention.
In a statement issued today, Senator Azuta-Mbata emphasized the humanitarian imperative of allowing Kanu access to proper medical care, highlighting that continued detention serves no meaningful purpose for the government. "I would like to call upon the federal government of Nigeria to quickly release Nnamdi Kanu. The Government has no serious advantage in keeping him. It is important that the government ensures his safety and his welfare, and that the Government must allow him to go and get medical treatment as quickly as possible," Azuta-Mbata stated.
The Ohanaeze leader further urged the adoption of a political solution to address the longstanding issue, noting, "The Government must adopt a political solution to this situation. I do not believe that the Government has any serious advantage in keeping him any further." This appeal aligns with previous calls from the organization for Kanu's unconditional release, recognizing his detention as one of Nigeria's most contentious political matters.
Nnamdi Kanu was first arrested in 2015 on charges of treasonable felony. He jumped bail in 2017 and fled abroad, only to be rearrested in Kenya in June 2021 through a controversial operation. Since then, he has been held in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), where his legal battles and health concerns have drawn widespread attention from human rights advocates and the Igbo community.
In addition to the plea for Kanu's release, Senator Azuta-Mbata encouraged Igbos across Nigeria to actively participate in the ongoing voters' registration exercise. "I’m calling upon Ndigbo-nine (Igbos in general) wherever you are in Nigeria to quickly go and take advantage of the voter registration exercise that is going on right now. Go and get your cards as quickly as possible," he advised, stressing the importance of civic engagement for the community's future.