His Royal Majesty, Eze-Igwe Williams Ezugwu, the traditional ruler of Opi Ancient Kingdom in Enugu State, has criticized President Bola Tinubu for failing to seize a historic opportunity to foster national healing by not releasing Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on Democracy Day, June 12, 2025.
In a statement, Eze-Igwe Ezugwu, who also serves as Secretary General of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), described the occasion as a missed moment for reconciliation, particularly for the South East. He argued that Kanu’s continued detention deepens regional grievances and undermines national unity.
The monarch stressed that Democracy Day symbolizes freedom and justice, yet Tinubu’s inaction contradicted these ideals. Releasing Kanu—whether through a presidential pardon or legal intervention—would have signaled a commitment to inclusion and peace. Instead, the government’s stance fuels alienation in the South East, where many feel marginalized.
Eze-Igwe Ezugwu noted that past administrations granted amnesty to agitators in other regions, questioning why the South East faces a different approach. He warned that conflating legitimate grievances with criminality only escalates tensions, as seen in IPOB’s shift from non-violence to unrest amid state crackdowns.
Calling for urgent reconsideration, he urged Tinubu to prioritize national cohesion over political caution. “A peaceful South East strengthens Nigeria,” he emphasized, urging policies that align with June 12’s spirit of unity. The path to healing, he concluded, requires bold, empathetic leadership—not just symbolic gestures.
