By SUNTV Global Channel | June 15, 2026
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has launched a fresh attack on Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, accusing him of abandoning his previous support for the release of detained separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu and targeting former presidential candidate Peter Obi for political reasons.
In a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, IPOB alleged that Soludo’s administration had taken a contradictory stance on Kanu’s continued detention despite the governor’s earlier calls for his release.
The group recalled that Governor Soludo visited Kanu at the Department of State Services (DSS) facility in Abuja in May 2022, where he publicly advocated for the IPOB leader’s freedom and reportedly expressed willingness to stand as surety for him.
IPOB also referenced previous comments by officials of the Anambra State Government, claiming they had once argued that Kanu’s release would contribute significantly to restoring peace and stability across the South-East region.
The separatist group accused the governor of abandoning that position for personal political interests, alleging that his actions were driven by future political calculations ahead of the 2031 elections.
The controversy follows recent remarks by former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate Peter Obi during an engagement with Nigerians in Washington, D.C., where he reiterated his long-standing position that Nnamdi Kanu should be released.
Obi maintained that he had consistently supported Kanu’s release and questioned the continued detention of the IPOB leader.
However, Governor Soludo’s media aide, Ejimofor Opara, criticized Obi’s comments, arguing that they undermined judicial processes and ongoing legal proceedings surrounding Kanu’s case.
Opara stated that Obi, having previously benefited from judicial interventions during his political career, should respect the decisions of both Nigerian and foreign courts.
He further argued that comments perceived as sympathetic to individuals convicted on terrorism-related charges could send the wrong message at a time when authorities are battling insecurity across the country.
Nnamdi Kanu is currently serving a life sentence following his conviction on terrorism-related charges by a Federal High Court in Abuja in November 2025. His legal team has since appealed the judgment, insisting that the conviction should be overturned.
Despite the court ruling, IPOB maintained that calls for Kanu’s release continue to attract support from various individuals and groups across Nigeria. The organization reaffirmed its backing for Peter Obi and others who have publicly advocated for Kanu’s freedom.
The latest exchange has added another layer to the ongoing political and legal debates surrounding Kanu’s detention, a matter that continues to generate strong reactions across the country, particularly in the South-East.
As tensions rise, observers say the dispute highlights the deep divisions over the future of the region, the rule of law, and the political calculations ahead of future elections.
