Prominent Igbo elder, Chike Obidigbo, has warned that the continued detention and alleged neglect of the ailing Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, could plunge Nigeria into a grave national crisis.

 

Obidigbo accused Nigeria’s political class—especially South East politicians—of a “conspiracy of silence” while Kanu’s health reportedly deteriorates in custody. He likened the situation to a “calculated plot to provoke the Igbo and engineer another genocidal attempt similar to the pogrom that led to the civil war,” stressing that other regions’ leaders work collectively to resolve social tensions while Igbo politicians “live in denial.”

 

The elder statesman condemned what he called double standards, noting that armed bandits have been offered amnesty and even welcomed “on a red carpet,” yet Kanu, who he said merely called for a referendum on Nigeria’s structure, remains in solitary confinement.

 

“Why should Kanu suffer double jeopardy for expressing frustration over Nigeria’s hypocrisy?” Obidigbo asked. “Many citizens have called for a review of the political structure since the 100-year amalgamation experiment expired in 2014.”

 

His warning coincides with a backlash from Joe Igbokwe, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who sharply criticized calls for Kanu’s release.

 

Reacting to Nollywood actress Rita Edochie’s Instagram plea for the Federal Government to free the IPOB leader to help restore peace in the South East, Igbokwe said he “feels like vomiting,” insisting Edochie “did not know what happened in the South East from 2015 to 2025.”

 

UGAMA TV reported that the Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed September 26, 2025, to rule on Kanu’s no-case submission in the terrorism charge filed against him.