The family of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, on Tuesday took Senator Orji Kalu to task over his comment that Kanu’s followers were an insane number of people rooting for his release back home.

The IPOB leader’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel, who spoke for the family, demanded explanations from the former governor of Abia State as to what he meant by the statement.

Kalu, who represents Abia North in the National Assembly, had in a tweet after visiting Kanu in detention, said, “This afternoon, I visited my brother, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, in DSS custody, Abuja. I met him in good health and care, and we discussed as Umunne (brothers).

“In 2001 when I was governor, I made his father, Eze Israel Okwu Kanu, the traditional ruler of Akwara Ukwu and since then, the family has been very close to me.

“I understand that Nnamdi has an insane amount (number) of people rooting for him back home and I encouraged him to consider the consequences of certain actions and utterances for the sake of the same people.

“Even though my ideology and his ideology are totally different, God has made us brothers and we can’t run away from each other. I owe him and Nigerians good counselling…whether he and his family listen to me or not, I will continue counselling him as I have always done in the past. What we need most is a peaceful and secured society.”

In a swift reaction, Kanu’s family accused the senator of unnecessarily advertising his visit to the IPOB leader “probably for political gains” and expressed their disappointment over what they called “confusing, incoherent, disparaging and uncomplimentary remarks.”

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While cautioning the Senate Chief Whip against “making unguarded utterances on subjects beyond his comprehension,” the family asked, “What does Senator Orji Uzor Kalu want to achieve by those confusing and disparaging remarks? Is he saying that millions of followers of Nnamdi Kanu, who feel disenchanted by the protracted and provocative marginalisation and injustice perpetrated against Biafrans by the Nigeria authorities, are insane?

“Who is Kalu working for? Must he advertise his visit to our brother? If he thinks he has any solution to offer, can’t he work from behind the scene? Must he make political gains on every issue?

“We are highly disappointed by his incoherent utterances. He must understand that our brother is not being persecuted because he stole, or committed any crime. His only crime, if at all it’s a crime, is asking for the freedom of the oppressed people of Biafra.

“Orji Uzor Kalu and his types are the reason the agitation for self-determination by our people is unending. How can he be trusted by the people? We have not forgotten his role in 2017 when our brother was in Kuje prison. What is his mission? Is he for or against Nnamdi Kanu?”