The family of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has accused President Bola Tinubu of reneging on an agreement to facilitate Kanu’s release.
Kanu’s brother, Kanunta, revealed that he entered into an agreement with Tinubu’s son, Seyi, during the build-up to the 2023 presidential election.
Kanunta disclosed that the meeting, which he claimed had the blessing of President Tinubu, resulted in an understanding that IPOB would not boycott the 2023 elections on the condition that Tinubu would release Kanu if elected.
In a statement, Kanunta said:
“Before the last election, I received a message from an ex-governor that Seyi, the son of President Tinubu, wanted to see me.
“I agreed to meet with him on the condition that the overriding priority and hence the fulcrum of our discussion will be the release of my brother.
“The meeting was held in Abuja in the presence of another individual whom I asked along to witness the deliberations and provide independent verification should the need arise.
“Seyi confirmed to me that his father sanctioned the meeting and that I should consider any agreement we reach as binding on the then candidate, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“In good faith we agreed that I shall relay the outcome to my brother to reinforce the long-held tradition of IPOB not interfering with the conduct of elections, either through boycott or any other form of civil disobedience.
“This understanding was duly communicated to my brother and he reaffirmed his commitment not to stop the elections or order any boycott.
“When President Tinubu as a candidate visited Owerri during his campaign, he too reiterated his commitment to facilitate the release of my brother if elected.
“We took his public statement as a tacit reaffirmation of the understanding I reached with his son Seyi.
“It, therefore, defies logic that nearly two years after President Tinubu assumed the mantle of leadership in Nigeria, my brother is still in detention despite not having any charge against him.
“It’s been over three months now that Justice Binta Nyako recused herself from the case yet no new judge has been assigned the case.”
The family expressed frustration over the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, lamenting the lack of progress on the agreement.
