Igbo youth leaders from the five states of the Southeast region on Monday converged at the Awka District Union Hall in Umuahia, Abia State, in a pivotal emergency executive session to deliberate on the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the state of the region, and national integration.
The meeting, described as a “call to conscience,” was attended by regional youth executives and other key stakeholders who emphasized the need for unity, self-awareness, and collective action in addressing the challenges facing the Southeast.
In his opening remarks, the State Youth Leader underscored the urgency of fostering unity among the Igbo. “Other ethnic groups in Nigeria frequently meet and strategize collectively. Why can’t we do the same?” he questioned. “If we want peace and unity to reign in the South East, we must begin to talk among ourselves, share ideas, and take responsibility for our collective future.”
The President General of the Southeast Youths Worldwide, Chief Chinedu Obilor, popularly known as Iyiereoba, delivered a passionate address condemning the prolonged incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), despite reported legal victories abroad, particularly in Kenya.
“Today is the first day of July, a month of joy and celebration. But how can we celebrate when our brother is still in detention?” Obilor queried, expressing dismay over what he described as selective justice by the Nigerian government.
He accused the authorities of ethnic bias, noting that leaders of other regions who faced legal troubles had since regained freedom, while Kanu remains behind bars. “Is it because he’s Igbo? Are we second-class citizens in this country? The Fulani leader was released. The Yoruba man was released. But when it comes to an Igbo man, it becomes a different story. This is unacceptable,” he said.
Obilor also criticized some Southeast political leaders, accusing them of complicity through silence and inaction. “They go to Abuja and claim they are in charge. But we, the youth, are the ones truly in charge. We put them there and we can remove them.”
He singled out Hon. Obi Aguocha as the only elected official who has consistently supported Nnamdi Kanu and cautioned others against using Kanu’s name for political gains ahead of the 2027 general elections. “If you can’t stand with him, don’t use his name to campaign in 2027. Or you will hear from the Igbo youth,” he warned.
Issuing a direct appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Obilor called for immediate action to release Kanu, describing it as a step toward national reconciliation and peace in the Southeast. “You don’t need to buy our votes with rice or money. This is what we want—freedom and justice. If you do this, you will have our support. If not, you will hear from us loud and clear in the next election.”
The President General concluded with a stern warning that if Kanu is not released soon, the Southeast youth will mobilize over one million young people in advocacy and negotiation, even reaching out to groups beyond the region to secure Kanu’s freedom.
The session ended with renewed calls for Igbo solidarity, grassroots mobilization, and peaceful political engagement. Leaders in attendance emphasized that their demand is not just about Nnamdi Kanu, but a broader call for justice, equity, and rightful representation of Ndigbo within the Nigerian federation.
