"Ooni Planning Title for Igboho" – Monarch Urges Tinubu to Release Nnamdi Kanu

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The Igwe of Ezema Olo in Ezeagu LGA, Enugu State, His Royal Highness Ambassador Dr. Lawrence Agubuzu, has called on President Bola Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), suggesting that he be returned to Kenya or the United Kingdom if his presence in Nigeria remains unwelcome.

Kanu was arrested in Kenya during the administration of the late Muhammadu Buhari and extradited to Nigeria to face terrorism charges. Last year, the Federal High Court sentenced him to life imprisonment, and he is currently serving his sentence at the maximum security prison in Sokoto.

Several prominent Igbo leaders have appealed to President Tinubu to free the pro-Biafra agitator. Agubuzu warned that continued detention is fueling unrest among young people in the Southeast, increasing agitation and restlessness.

The monarch made his remarks during the 2026 National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit on Health, held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.

He said, “Having come now to Abuja and listened to His Royal Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, who was gingering all of us to work as a family, to work as a team, to see Nigeria as one, I said maybe this is good.

“But when you look at it, this same Ooni of Ife is planning to confer a very high honour on Sunday Igboho who, in my own part of the country, we see him as the South west counterpart of Nnamdi Kanu and the Imperial Highness does not seem to understand the pain in my heart when Nnamdi Kanu is in Sokoto. So, sir the ball is your court.

“Bring this man out. If we don’t want him in Nigeria, send him back to Kenya or London, where he came from. Please do something about this.” Agubuzu told the President, adding, “We can’t move forward in this country unless we face the truth.”

InsideLife reports that the summit, themed “The Role of Traditional and Religious Leaders in Advancing the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative,” aimed to enhance community participation in health system reforms.

However, the event took an unexpected turn during the goodwill messages when Agubuzu directly pressed the President on Kanu’s situation.

He said, “I must tell you, Mr. President, that I don’t feel very happy because you weren’t here in the morning when the Ooni of Ife gave the opening speech and was encouraging everyone to work together as one.”

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