After Joining APC, Enugu Gov. Mbah Says Nnamdi Kanu’s Freedom Can Only Come Through Political Dialogue
Mbah, while speaking during a state-wide broadcast on Tuesday after his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), said that his stance on Kanu’s detention has remained unchanged since assuming office.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has insisted that the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, can only be achieved through a political process.
Mbah, while speaking during a state-wide broadcast on Tuesday after his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), said that his stance on Kanu’s detention has remained unchanged since assuming office.
“It took barely a week after I assumed office that I had a meeting with the President, and I was very specific when I came out to address the press that I also raised the issue of Nnamdi Kanu with the President,” Mbah said.
According to him, he has always believed a political solution offers the most sustainable path toward resolving the prolonged detention of the IPOB leader.
“I strongly believe that the Nnamdi Kanu problem is going to be solved politically,” he said.
“With this now, I think it is also an opportunity for the South-East to consolidate our position and make a very strong case for this to be resolved politically.”
Mbah urged stakeholders across the South-East to unite behind the idea of a political settlement and to develop a unified position before engaging with the federal government.
“First of all, we need to accept the concept that this is the right thing to do,” he said.
“Then, the details of implementation will be worked out because there will certainly be details. It is not something you can possibly outline now, but it’s for us to even accept the concept that this is the way to move forward.”
Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his re-arrest in Kenya and subsequent extradition to Nigeria in June 2021.
His detention has remained contentious, with several court orders granting him bail yet to be enforced by the authorities.
The IPOB leader currently faces a seven-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism and related offences.
Meanwhile, in August, Mbah called on the Federal Government to release the detained IPOB leader, describing his continued detention as unjust and urging that his release was “the right thing to do.”
He made the appeal during a question-and-answer session at the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference in Enugu, shortly after delivering a presentation on the theme, “Leadership and Transformation.”
In response to a participant who urged him to sustain his advocacy for Nnamdi Kanu’s release, the governor revealed that his very first meeting with President Bola Tinubu after assuming office centred on the IPOB leader’s detention.
“My first visit to the President was about Nnamdi Kanu. I believe that the right thing to do is to release him. Hopefully, that will be done soon,” he said.
Mbah’s statement on Tuesday comes amid renewed demand for Kanu’s immediate and unconditional release by human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore.
SaharaReporters reported on Monday, October 13, that Sowore commenced mobilisation for the planned October 20 #FreeNnamdiKanu march protest at the Presidential Villa, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the detained IPOB leader.
Sowore, on Thursday, October 9, announced October 20 as the date for a protest march to the Presidential Villa (Aso Rock), Abuja, to demand the release of Kanu, who has been detained by the DSS since June 2021, following his abduction and extraordinary rendition from Kenya.
Sowore said, “We now have a date for the historic #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest march to the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja. It is October 20 at 7 am.”
On Tuesday, October 7, Sowore called on political leaders and other stakeholders from the South-East region to join him in a peaceful march to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to demand the immediate release of the IPOB leader.
In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Sowore had written, “I will set aside my differences with some politicians for one cause.
“I challenge every politician or person of good conscience from the Southeast who says they want Nnamdi Kanu released to stop the rhetoric. Time for action is NOW. Let’s march to the Aso Rock Villa.”
Sowore had urged prominent figures from the region, including governors, lawmakers, traditional and religious leaders, to take concrete steps beyond verbal support for Kanu’s release.
He specifically tagged Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, challenging them to join in the protest.
“No more empty noise. Let Governor Soludo (@CCSoludo), Senator Abaribe (@SenatorAbaribe), Alex Otti (@alexottiofr), Peter Obi (@PeterObi), and all others who claim to care step up and join us in person,” he said.
Sowore stressed that the march would be peaceful and lawful, aimed at demanding justice and an end to what he described as the persecution of Nnamdi Kanu.
Since the renewed campaign for Kanu’s release, the movement has attracted broad support, including from Abia State lawmakers, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, MASSOB founder Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, and Kanu’s special counsel, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor.
