The World Igbo Congress (WIC) has warned of possible consequences if Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), dies in custody.
Kanu was first arrested in 2015 and later granted bail in 2017.
In 2021, he was re-arrested and extradited from Kenya under controversial circumstances.
The separatist is currently facing charges bordering on terrorism and treasonable felony, with his continued detention by the Department of State Services (DSS) contributing to palpable tension and unrest in the south-east region.
Speaking on 90MinutesAfrica, a programme anchored by Rudolf Okonkwo, on Sunday, Festus Okere, chairman of WIC, said the federal government has ignored several appeals to release Kanu.
Okere described Kanu’s continued incarceration as “a slap on Igbo people”.
“The greatest slap that Ndigbo has gotten from the Nigerian government is the incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu,” he said.
“I don’t want to issue a warning to anybody, but if Nnamdi Kanu dies in detention, only God knows what the consequences would be.
“We call on President Bola Tinubu to explore political solutions to free Nnamdi Kanu, just as has been done for other Nigerians from other ethnic groups.”
He added that the organisation is also working to revive the leadership ideals of Michael Okpara, premier of the defunct eastern region.
“Dr. Okpara was a transformative leader. His era was regarded as the golden era of the region. He was disciplined and never sought to enrich himself,” Okere said.
Also speaking, Basil Onwukwe, WIC vice chairman, added that the south-east must reject “bastardised leadership” and embrace leaders who embody Okpara’s vision for industrialisation and regional development.
WIC was founded in 1994 as an umbrella organisation for Igbos in the diaspora.
