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Some Southeast politicians, businessmen oppose Kanu’s release — Iwuanyanwu

The National Chairman of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Dan Iwuanyanwu, has alleged that certain influential figures in Nigeria’s South-East particularly top politicians and wealthy businessmen are discreetly opposing the release of detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, out of fear of losing political and social relevance.

Iwuanyanwu, speaking during an appearance on Politics Today, a current affairs programme on Channels Television on Monday, said the resistance to Kanu’s freedom was not limited to federal authorities, but also involved powerful regional actors with vested interests.

“There are people, especially some prominent businessmen who operate in sectors like oil and construction, that do not want Nnamdi Kanu to come out.

“These individuals benefit from the current arrangement and fear that his release would destabilize their positions, ” he said.

He added that some South-East politicians, particularly those eyeing future elections, were worried that Kanu’s re-emergence into public life could eclipse their political aspirations.

“If Nnamdi Kanu is released today, there are individuals whose political careers may end permanently. And not because he will contest elections, but because his return will awaken a mass movement they cannot control,” Iwuanyanwu said.

Describing Kanu’s popularity as “organic and unmanufactured,” he emphasised that the IPOB leader continues to command loyalty from many in the region, despite his prolonged incarceration.

“You cannot manufacture that kind of love.

“It’s not about slogans or social media. His followers believe in him with or without him speaking,” he said.

While noting that he does not share IPOB’s secessionist ideology, Iwuanyanwu stressed that the continuous detention of Kanu without resolving underlying grievances only deepened mistrust and division.

“You don’t have to agree with Kanu to acknowledge that injustice, or perceived injustice, breeds resentment.

“If the government believes it has a case, let it be prosecuted openly. But dragging it indefinitely plays into the hands of those who profit from crisis,” he said.

Kanu, who is facing charges of treasonable felony, was re-arrested in 2021 and has remained in custody since then, despite several court orders for his release.

His legal team, family, and several human rights organisations have continued to demand his unconditional freedom.

The federal government, however, maintained that Kanu’s case is a matter of national security and must follow due legal processes.

Meanwhile, calls for Kanu’s release have gained renewed momentum in recent months, with protest movements across several cities and growing appeals from lawmakers and civil society leaders.

As the legal and political wrangling continues, Iwuanyanwu warned that the South-East must resist internal sabotage, urging leaders in the region to be more honest in their stance.

“We cannot be shouting marginalisation by day and then secretly working against our own people by night.

“If we truly want peace and justice, it must begin with sincerity, ” he said.

 

 

 

 

 

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