Renowned Nigerian entrepreneur and philanthropist, Obinna Iyiegbu, widely known as Obi Cubana, has made an impassioned public appeal for the freedom of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The prominent businessman’s statement comes amidst a period of escalating national unease and directly follows the Federal High Court’s decision to sentence Kanu to life imprisonment for terrorism offences.
Cubana’s intervention links the prolonged detention of Kanu to the persistent atmosphere of insecurity and widespread anxiety gripping the South-East region, arguing forcefully that the return of peace and normalcy to the area, known as Ala Igbo, is inextricably tied to the pro-Biafra activist regaining his liberty. His comments reflect a growing sentiment among influential voices that a political solution remains the most viable path to de-escalation, even after the judicial process has run its course.
Appeal follows landmark life sentence
The businessman’s statement, released on Friday, articulated a profound sense of worry over the “worsening mood” of the country, citing a catalogue of troubling events that have left citizens “perplexed and downcast.” This list includes the United States’ recent designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” the killing of a Brigadier-General, the mass abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger states, and the specific event of Kanu’s conviction and life sentence handed down on Thursday.
Obi Cubana stressed that these incidents collectively indicate a nation grappling with severe instability, making it imperative for the government to take drastic and unifying measures. He emphasized that the judiciary’s verdict, while a legal conclusion, has only served to heighten tensions in the South-East, where Kanu remains a deeply polarizing figure whose detention fuels separatist agitation and widespread civil disobedience, including the notorious ‘sit-at-home’ orders that cripple the regional economy. The life sentence itself has generated widespread distress, as many local leaders fear it removes the judicial avenue for Kanu’s release, leaving the politically charged matter unresolved.
High-level dialogue with presidential family and lawmakers
Providing rare insight into ongoing back-channel efforts, Obi Cubana revealed that he and other “well-meaning Nigerians” have been actively involved in high-level discussions aimed at finding a comprehensive resolution to the nation’s security and economic challenges. He disclosed participation in two significant meetings within the last three months, one with the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and another with Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu.
These discussions, according to the businessman, were comprehensive, focusing not only on the pervasive issue of insecurity but also on critical economic matters affecting businesses, such as the new tax regime, ease of doing business in the country, and regulatory challenges involving agencies like Customs, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Crucially, the issue of finding a political solution that can lead to the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was at the forefront of the agenda.
Cubana noted that these engagements underscore that numerous, tireless efforts are being made behind the scenes, dedicating time and resources toward securing Kanu’s freedom. His confirmation of dialogue with individuals close to the presidency and within the National Assembly suggests that the path to Kanu’s release is increasingly viewed as a political necessity rather than a purely legal one, requiring executive intervention.
Kanu’s freedom linked to regional stability
The central thrust of Obi Cubana’s appeal is the inseparable link between Kanu’s situation and the socio-economic fate of the entire South-East region. He asserted in no uncertain terms that the continuing detention of the IPOB leader prevents peace from taking root. “No Igbo man or woman will have peace if MNK does not regain his freedom, and Ala Igbo will never be the same again,” he declared.
This powerful statement highlights the profound emotional and political resonance Kanu’s case holds for the Igbo populace, transcending his actions as a separatist leader. His continued incarceration is widely seen as an affront to the region, sustaining the atmosphere of agitation and despair. Cubana’s message emphasizes the consensus among community leaders and stakeholders: that while “tempers are high, words are being exchanged,” the collective goal remains Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s freedom, and the push for his release will “NEVER rest.”
He concluded with a direct and urgent plea to the nation’s highest office, urging President Tinubu to “heed the cry of our people and free Nnamdi Kanu.” The ultimate goal, he maintained, remains the building of a Nigeria where citizens can “live and operate freely without fear regardless of ethnicity, religion and culture,” insisting that while constructive agitations are necessary, lasting solutions can only be achieved at the negotiation table.
