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‘When all men say you are an ass, it’s time to bray’ – English Proverb
The 13th memorial anniversary of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu in Owerri provided a veritable platform for a critical call to action in respect of Maazi Nnamdi Kanu. Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, used the occasion to implore His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Maazi Nnamdi Kanu. She had earlier made the appeal to former President Buhari in November 2021, while speaking at the 10th memorial anniversary of late Igbo leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, organised in Owerri.
“Kanu’s release will further buttress President Buhari’s commitment to healing the wounds inflicted by the sense of marginalisation felt by the Igbo nation,” Mrs. Ojukwu had pleaded.
Her appeal resonated and still continues to resonate with the growing consensus that Kanu’s release could be a turning point in addressing the South East’s security challenges.
The clamour for the release of Maazi Nnamdi Kanu has grown into a chorus, with prominent Nigerians and groups consistently appealing to successive governments to set him free. Yet, the calls seem to echo into a void, leaving one to wonder: If humans cannot heed the appeals of their fellow humans, is it the voice of the spirits that will finally compel action?
From November 2021, when a delegation led by the late statesman Mbazulike Amechi made a heartfelt plea to then-President Muhammadu Buhari, to the June 2024 letter signed by 50 members of the House of Representatives under President Bola Tinubu, the appeals have been consistent and diverse. Leaders from across the South East – governors, lawmakers, cultural unions, and political figures – have highlighted the symbolic and practical importance of releasing Kanu. Notable voices such as Osita Okechukwu, former Director General of Voice of Nigeria, former Governor Rochas Okorocha, and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi have all called for Kanu’s release. Even in his final days, Mbazulike Amechi, affectionately known as “The Boy is Good,” mustered the strength to lead a delegation on a wheelchair to make this earnest request.
These appeals have come with promises: from guarantees by the Association of South East Town Unions (ASETU) to produce Kanu whenever required, to arguments that his release would significantly reduce insecurity in the South East.
Despite this, Buhari’s administration remained unmoved, citing legal and security considerations.
While the legal complexities and security implications cannot be dismissed, the overwhelming consensus among South East leaders is that releasing Kanu would serve as a gesture of reconciliation and a step toward addressing the insecurity plaguing the region. Symbolically, it would mark the government’s willingness to listen, empathize, and heal.
The cries for Kanu’s release are not limited to political expediency but are deeply rooted in the collective psyche of a people yearning for justice, inclusion, and peace. It is not merely about one man. It is about what his detention represents in a society struggling to bridge its divides. As the appeals continue to fall on deaf ears, one is left to ponder the futility of human efforts. The rhetorical question arises: If the voices of esteemed statesmen, lawmakers, and cultural leaders fail to move the authorities, will it take the intervention of the spiritual realm? History and folklore remind us of times when the cries of the oppressed have transcended human institutions, leaving rulers to reckon with forces beyond their control.
Let’s return to Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu’s second appeal, an argument that is quite compelling. Freeing Kanu would draw a clear line between genuine agitators for self-determination and the rogue elements exploiting his detention to unleash violence in the region. According to her, the South East is at an existential crossroads, plagued by insecurity that has left communities deserted, homes abandoned, and lives disrupted. She underscored that this crisis starkly contrasts the ideals for which Dim Ojukwu fought – a secure and prosperous Igbo homeland.
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Her remarks on “Unifying the Igbo Race” highlighted the urgent need for collective action to reclaim the region from chaos. She emphasized that the Igbo ethos does not condone harming one’s kin, and the current state of affairs is a betrayal of that heritage. Bianca’s appeal for Kanu’s release is rooted in the belief that it would expose the criminal masqueraders who perpetuate mayhem under the guise of IPOB.
This call aligns with similar appeals from many well-meaning Nigerians who view Kanu’s detention as a festering wound, exacerbating the region’s woes rather than healing them. The proverb, “When all men say you are an ass, it is time to bray,” aptly captures the prevailing sentiment, which implies that the growing chorus for Kanu’s release can no longer be ignored. For President Tinubu, this is an opportunity to heed these calls, demonstrate political maturity, and address a key source of the South East’s instability.
Granting Kanu his freedom is not merely an act of justice but also a strategic move to restore peace, rebuild trust, and isolate criminal elements from legitimate struggles for equity. It is needless imagining the extent to which President Tinubu’s wise decision to appoint Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla as the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) exerted some mollifying effects on frayed nerves and combustible undercurrents in the South East.
President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Vice Admiral Ogalla was a decision that transcended symbolism. It doused, to a great extent, the simmering tensions in the South East and offered Ndigbo a long-sought sense of inclusion within the Nigerian federation. This singular act signaled a willingness to bridge historical divides and acknowledge the critical role of all regions in the nation’s progress.
Some critics may argue that the healing process for Nigeria’s soul requires more than appointments; it demands actions that rebuild trust, foster inclusivity, and address grievances, including but not limited to the immediate and unconditional release of Maazi Nnamdi Kanu. For such school of thought, the true litmus test of the administration’s commitment to healing and national unity lies in its response to the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu (MNK). This underscores the healing power of inclusion and justice as implicit in Ambassador Ojukwu’s impassioned call.
The South East remains a region grappling with insecurity, mistrust, and alienation, most of which are exacerbated by Kanu’s incarceration. His release would not only affirm judicial rulings but also serve as a powerful gesture of goodwill, a tangible step toward reconciliation 50 years after the tragic civil war. Releasing MNK would not only isolate criminal elements exploiting his detention to wreak havoc, as rightly posited by Mrs. Ojukwu, but also restore peace and order in the region. It would also reinforce President Tinubu’s reputation as a leader willing to listen to the voices of reason and act boldly in the interest of justice and unity. Heeding the strident calls for Kanu’s freedom would further testify to Tinubu’s readiness to champion a new era of peace and reintegration for Ndigbo and, by extension, for all Nigerians. Inclusion, justice, and reconciliation are the cornerstones of a united Nigeria. It is needless imagining the transformative impact of these principles in action; President Tinubu is already showing the way.
Kudos to Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu for mustering the courage to lend her golden voice to the growing calls for the release of Nnamdi Kanu. Her decision to speak up at this critical juncture is not only commendable but also immensely significant, as it amplifies an issue that touches the core of Nigeria’s unity and the emotional pulse of Ndigbo. Ambassador Ojukwu’s intervention could not have come at a better time. With her illustrious background as the widow of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the revered leader of Biafra, and as a diplomat with a deep understanding of Nigeria’s socio-political landscape, her advocacy carries immense weight. Her voice adds credence to the argument that releasing Kanu is not just a gesture of goodwill but a pragmatic step toward healing the fractured South East and fostering national cohesion.
Perhaps, it may sound overly simplistic to assume that the release of Nnamdi Kanu (MNK) is the ultimate silver bullet that will decisively end insecurity in the Southeast. Yet, dismissing its potential impact would be equally shortsighted. While it is not a panacea for the region’s complex and deeply rooted challenges, it undeniably represents a significant and concrete step in the right direction. Releasing Kanu is not a standalone solution. It must be part of a broader strategy that includes dialogue, socio-economic interventions, and strengthening security structures. However, as a first step, it holds the potential to diffuse the tension in the region, create room for constructive conversations, and empower credible stakeholders to champion peace.
The calls for Kanu’s release are not an endorsement of his methods or rhetoric but a recognition of the need to address the underlying grievances that fuel unrest. Dialogue, not repression, is the pathway to lasting peace. As Ambassador Ojukwu and other prominent voices have rightly pointed out, releasing Kanu could disarm those exploiting his detention as a rallying cry for violence, paving the way for constructive engagement. President Tinubu’s administration has an opportunity to turn the page and redefine the narrative. By ‘braying’ when it mattered most, Tinubu would have initiated the laudable healing process for a fractured region and a pathway to unity and security for Ndigbo and Nigeria at large.
Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu’s advocacy is a clarion call for leadership, empathy, and action. The time to act is now, and the stakes could not be higher.
On a final note, this moment, for President Bola Tinubu, presents an opportunity to demonstrate bold and empathetic leadership. It is not too late for his administration to heed the growing calls for Kanu’s release. In the end, governance is about empathy, courage, and the ability to listen, not just to spirits, but to the living voices that cry for justice, peace, and reconciliation. As calls for Kanu’s release grow louder, the President’s decision could shape perceptions of his administration’s commitment to inclusivity and reconciliation. Addressing South East insecurity requires more than force. It demands understanding, negotiation, and the willingness to take courageous actions. Insecurity in the South East is a multi-layered issue that requires a multi-pronged response.
Releasing Nnamdi Kanu may not be the ultimate answer, but it is a critical step in building the trust and goodwill needed to begin untangling the region’s challenges. The path forward is complex, but every journey begins with a single, meaningful step.
Your Excellency Sir, the time to take that step is now. There is no better time to ‘bray’ than now. The ball is in your court. The nation watches with bated breath.
