Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has appealed to the Federal Government to consider the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, as part of efforts to promote peace, unity, and reconciliation in the South-East region.
Mbah made the call on Monday while addressing stakeholders at a regional peace and security summit held in Enugu. The governor said that resolving Kanu’s case through dialogue and political solutions would help reduce tension, curb insecurity, and restore confidence in government’s commitment to justice.
According to him, the continued detention of the IPOB leader has fueled agitations, worsened economic activities in the South-East, and deepened mistrust between citizens and state institutions. He stressed that the time had come for a bold and pragmatic approach to foster national integration.
“Peace and stability cannot thrive in an atmosphere of exclusion and resentment. The Federal Government should consider granting Nnamdi Kanu his freedom, not as a concession to lawlessness, but as a step toward healing wounds and building bridges of trust across Nigeria,” Mbah said.
The governor also urged community leaders, traditional rulers, and youth groups to embrace dialogue and work with government in addressing the root causes of insecurity in the region.
Civil society groups and youth representatives at the event welcomed the governor’s position, describing it as a courageous call that reflects the aspirations of the people of the South-East.
Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his re-arrest in 2021, is standing trial for alleged treason and other charges. Several political leaders, religious figures, and socio-cultural organizations have over time appealed for his release, insisting that peace in the region is tied to resolving his case.
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