Abuja, Nigeria – The President-General of the Igbo Community Association (ICA) in the Federal Capital Territory, Engr. Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe, has provided fresh insight into the current mindset of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, following a closely-watched visit to the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja.
According to Ezenekwe, who met with Kanu on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, the IPOB leader is optimistic about securing his release before the end of the month. Despite prolonged detention, Kanu reportedly appeared healthier, had gained weight, and was in positive spirits, buoyed by confidence in his legal team and a strong belief in the justice of his cause.
“Kanu is hopeful,” Ezenekwe stated. “He remains steadfast in his conviction that he has committed no crime other than urging the Igbo people to awaken and reclaim their rights. He believes the courts will grant him freedom in a matter of weeks.”
During the meeting, which Ezenekwe described as both sobering and inspirational, Kanu was said to have expressed deep disappointment with what he perceives as a void in Igbo leadership at a time of critical need. He lamented the silence of prominent voices and the absence of sustained advocacy for the region’s interests, stressing that this neglect risks weakening the broader struggle for self-determination.
Ezenekwe echoed Kanu’s sentiments in a strongly worded public statement issued Thursday, directly appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the case. Drawing parallels between Tinubu’s own past as a pro-democracy activist and the present condition of Kanu, he urged the president to show “the political will” needed to secure the IPOB leader’s release.
“Kanu’s continued detention no longer symbolizes justice—it has become a representation of political repression,” Ezenekwe said. “President Tinubu knows what it means to fight for democracy. Now is the time to extend that same commitment to fairness in Kanu’s case.”
Kanu reportedly invoked the memory of Ralph Uwazurike, another prominent figure in the Igbo self-determination movement, who faced similar hardship and abandonment during his own time in detention. According to Kanu, such repeated neglect of freedom fighters by their own people has become a dangerous pattern that threatens to undermine future advocacy efforts.
In a poignant part of their conversation, Kanu reiterated his long-standing call for a referendum as a legitimate and democratic path toward resolving the Igbo question in Nigeria. He framed his imprisonment as part of a broader historical narrative marked by marginalization, sacrifice, and resistance.
Though detained, Kanu’s resolve appears unshaken. Ezenekwe noted that the IPOB leader’s mental and physical condition has improved, with Kanu confirming he is receiving his medications regularly. This, he said, was evidence of Kanu’s resilience and ability to remain focused under extreme pressure.
The ICA president described the meeting as a “critical moment” that underscores the need for unity, strategy, and consistent advocacy within the Igbo community.
“Nnamdi Kanu’s message was unmistakable: we must not turn our backs on those who risk everything for our collective rights,” Ezenekwe declared. “If we are to move forward as a people, we must learn from the past and rise to the occasion.”
As attention now turns to the judiciary and potential executive action, Kanu’s case once again stands at the intersection of national politics, ethnic identity, and the enduring question of justice in Nigeria.
Whether April marks the end of his detention or simply another chapter in his saga remains to be seen. But for now, Kanu’s voice, amplified through allies like Ezenekwe, continues to echo a message of defiance, hope, and the unyielding quest for recognition.
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