The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has criticized Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, over comments made by his administration regarding recent calls for the release of detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, IPOB accused the governor of adopting a position that contradicts his previous stance on Kanu’s detention.
The group recalled that Governor Soludo visited Kanu at the Department of State Services (DSS) facility in Abuja in 2022 and publicly called for his release, offering to stand as surety for him. IPOB also referenced remarks allegedly made by the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, in March 2025, indicating that the governor had been working towards Kanu’s release as part of efforts to restore peace in the South-East.
According to IPOB, it was therefore inconsistent for the state government to criticize former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for making a similar call for Kanu’s unconditional release.
The group alleged that Soludo’s current position was politically motivated and accused him of abandoning a cause he once supported. IPOB further claimed that the continued detention of Kanu remains a matter of justice and fairness, insisting that calls for his release should not be viewed as interference in judicial processes.
IPOB expressed support for Peter Obi and other individuals across Nigeria who have advocated for Kanu’s release, arguing that the issue transcends ethnic and political boundaries.
The group maintained that the release of its leader remains a central demand and urged the Federal Government to grant Kanu freedom, describing it as necessary for justice, peace, and reconciliation in the South-East.
The statement was signed by Emma Powerful, IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary.
