The traditional ruler of Ezema Olo in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, His Royal Highness Ambassador Dr. Lawrence Agubuzu, has called on President Bola Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), warning that his continued imprisonment is deepening unrest among young people in Nigeria’s Southeast.
Speaking during the 2026 National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit on Health, held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, Agubuzu appealed directly to the President to take decisive action in the interest of national unity and reconciliation.
He urged that if the Nigerian government remains uncomfortable with Kanu’s presence in the country, he should be returned to Kenya or the United Kingdom, where he previously resided.
Kanu was arrested in Kenya during the administration of the late Muhammadu Buhari and subsequently repatriated to Nigeria to face charges bordering on terrorism and secessionist activities. Following legal proceedings at the Federal High Court, he was sentenced to life imprisonment last year and is currently being held at a maximum-security correctional facility in Sokoto.
Agubuzu emphasized that numerous Igbo leaders and stakeholders have persistently appealed for clemency, arguing that Kanu’s continued detention has become a symbolic grievance for many youths in the region. According to the monarch, the situation risks worsening tensions unless addressed through dialogue and political will.
The royal father revealed that his concerns were heightened after listening to Ooni of Ife deliver a keynote address promoting national unity and collective responsibility among Nigeria’s ethnic groups. While he welcomed the call for togetherness, Agubuzu expressed discomfort over reports that the revered monarch intends to confer a high honour on Sunday Igboho, a prominent Yoruba self-determination advocate.
He noted that many in the Southeast perceive Igboho as a regional counterpart to Nnamdi Kanu, adding that the contrast between honouring one agitator while another remains imprisoned underscores what some communities interpret as unequal treatment.
Addressing the President, Agubuzu stated that genuine national progress requires confronting difficult realities and addressing grievances that fuel division.
“We cannot move forward as a nation unless we face the truth,” he said, stressing that reconciliation, fairness, and mutual respect among Nigeria’s diverse peoples must guide government decisions.
According to Ancestral News , the summit—officially themed “The Role of Traditional and Religious Leaders in Advancing the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative”—was primarily convened to strengthen community engagement in health sector reforms. However, the gathering took a dramatic turn during goodwill messages when Agubuzu raised the issue of Kanu’s detention before national leaders and stakeholders.
The monarch also expressed disappointment that President Tinubu was not present earlier in the day to personally hear the unity-focused address delivered by the Ooni of Ife, suggesting that the message would have further underscored the urgency of national reconciliation.
Observers note that calls for Kanu’s release have remained a recurring theme among political, traditional, and civic voices in the Southeast, where concerns about security, youth radicalization, and regional stability continue to shape public discourse.
Agubuzu concluded his appeal by urging the federal government to take a path that promotes healing, reduces tensions, and strengthens confidence in Nigeria’s commitment to justice and unity.
