By Destiny Ugorji
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has taken a swipe at Lagos-based APC stalwart, Joe Igbokwe, describing him as a “demented saboteur” and “unrepentant prodigal son” for allegedly opposing calls for the release of detained Biafra agitator, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Eze, who spoke in a statement released in Port Harcourt on Monday, was reacting to comments attributed to Igbokwe, in which he reportedly urged President Bola Tinubu not to withdraw the terrorism charges filed against the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The APC chieftain accused Igbokwe of “deliberate sabotage and betrayal of the Igbo cause,” alleging that his stance on Kanu’s continued detention reflects “a reckless disregard for justice and the collective welfare of the Igbo people.”
“It is with total disappointment that I address the reckless and foolish actions of Joe Igbokwe, whose betrayal of the Igbos has continued to threaten our unity and progress,” Eze said. “His utterances against Nnamdi Kanu are not only irresponsible but an affront to the entire Igbo nation.”
Eze questioned the justification for Kanu’s continued incarceration, contrasting his treatment with that of Yoruba activist Sunday Igboho, who has since regained freedom.
“Is Nnamdi Kanu’s agitation different from what Sunday Igboho and others did? Today, Igboho is celebrated, but Kanu is being denied access to medical care. Is it because he is Igbo?” Eze asked.
The outspoken politician also criticized what he described as President Tinubu’s “anti-Igbo policies,” alleging marginalization in federal appointments. He claimed that while a state in the South West currently holds four ministerial portfolios, the entire South East has only two substantive ministers and three ministers of state.
“Yet, the likes of Igbokwe continue to play gutter politics for personal gain, turning blind eyes to this injustice,” Eze added.
Chief Eze commended prominent Nigerians, including rights activist Omoyele Sowore, journalist Dele Momodu, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, Governor Alex Otti, and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe – for openly demanding Kanu’s release and speaking against what he termed “systemic injustice against the Southeast.”
He further expressed support for a proposed one-million-man march being organized to pressure the Federal Government into releasing Kanu, urging participants to ensure the demonstration remains peaceful.
“We must remain vigilant and orderly. Those opposed to Kanu’s release may attempt to infiltrate the protest with thugs to discredit it. We must not allow that,” Eze cautioned.
Eze concluded by quoting former Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, who once described Kanu as “a man whose conviction goes beyond comfort, and whose sacrifice will be remembered by history.”
The issue of Nnamdi Kanu’s prolonged detention remains one of Nigeria’s most contentious national debates, with calls intensifying across political, religious, and civil society groups for his unconditional release.
Credit: Atlantic Reporters