Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has publicly blamed Nnamdi Kanu, the detained IPOB leader, for causing the deaths of more than 30,000 people in the South-East due to his separatist agitations. Kalu made the claim in an interview on Channels Television’s “Sunday Politics” programme, where he described the socio-economic devastation allegedly triggered by Kanu’s movement.
According to Kalu, the turmoil linked to Kanu’s activism didn’t just result in loss of life but also in widespread destruction of businesses. The former Abia State governor lamented that many traders including people close to his family saw their shops looted or destroyed amid the unrest.
Kalu urged political actors, including IPOB supporters, to shift from “noise making” to a more constructive, political resolution. He argued that the aftermath of violence cannot be ignored: for him, there is a need for “sober reflection” and a negotiated path forward. He stated that he is working with the federal government to explore a settlement that addresses Kanu’s issue through political means.
