A coalition of Igbo Christian clerics has issued a strong rebuke to the governors of Nigeria’s South‑East geopolitical zone, accusing them of failing to take decisive action toward securing the freedom of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu. The clerics described the situation as a “betrayal” of the Igbo people and expressed deep disappointment that regional leadership has not yet leveraged political, legal, or diplomatic channels to intervene on behalf of Kanu.
In a communique released following a summit of church leaders, the clerics lamented that the continued incarceration of Kanu now in custody at Kuje Correctional Centre pending further court proceedings has become a symbol of unfulfilled promises and missed opportunities for regional unity and advocacy. They noted that many in the Igbo community had looked to their elected governors to champion a structured, peaceful campaign for his release, including appeals to national authorities and engagement with legal mechanisms.
The church leaders framed their criticism in moral and spiritual terms, arguing that leadership carries a duty to protect the rights and dignity of constituents. They pointed to Kanu’s continued detention, despite successive legal twists, as an injustice that merits collective action not silence from political representatives.
While the communique did not specify particular legal or diplomatic strategies, the clerics insisted that the governors’ apathy risks alienating younger generations and eroding trust in the region’s political elites. They urged urgent and coordinated interventions, stressing that sustained inaction only deepens communal frustration.
The development reflects ongoing tensions surrounding Kanu’s long‑running legal saga, which has been a flashpoint for national debate on justice, regional identity, and the limits of state power. The clerics’ statement adds a religious dimension to what has primarily been a political and legal discourse, amplifying pressure on South‑East governors to respond publicly and substantively.
