The apex Igbo sociocultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has expressed deep disappointment over the life imprisonment sentence handed to the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, by Justice James Omotosho, insisting that political resolution remains the best path forward.
The spokesman of Ohanaeze, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, said its President-General, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, has appealed for calm among supporters. Mbata urged well-meaning Nigerians to join efforts in appealing to President Bola Tinubu to pursue a political approach that would promote national unity and reconciliation.
“Ohanaeze is deeply troubled by what many within the Igbo nation perceive as harsh and biased treatment in this case,” the statement said, adding that such perceptions further erode confidence in national institutions and affect the dignity of the Igbo people.
The organization has also expressed concern over the growing insecurity in the Southeast, maintaining that the continued detention of Kanu has become a catalyst for unrest, youth radicalisation, and worsening instability in the region.
“Ohanaeze believes that continued hardline responses will only deepen the crisis,” Chukwu noted, while urging Tinubu to embrace political dialogue rather than maximal punitive measures. “Dialogue offers the most viable path to addressing longstanding grievances, restoring peace in the Southeast and fostering genuine national reconciliation. Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads, and only fairness, sensitivity and inclusiveness can preserve the unity we all desire,” the statement added.
