US-Based Advocacy Groups Applaud Enugu Monarch for Urging Tinubu to Free Nnamdi Kanu
- 18 hours ago
- 2 min read
Three advocacy organisations operating from the United States have praised a prominent traditional ruler in Enugu State for directly appealing to President Bola Tinubu over the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu. The groups described the monarch’s remarks as bold and necessary, particularly amid growing agitation in the South-east over Kanu’s prolonged legal battles.
The monarch, Lawrence Chikezie Agubuzu, who presides over the Ezema Olo Kingdom in Ezeagu Local Government Area, reportedly made the appeal during the 2026 National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit on Health held in Abuja. Addressing the president at the gathering, he questioned what he described as uneven treatment of separatist figures across different regions of the country.
Agubuzu argued that Kanu’s continued detention has deepened feelings of marginalisation in the South-east. He referenced other self-determination campaigners, including Sunday Igboho, who are currently not in custody, suggesting that a uniform standard should apply in matters involving political agitation.
According to participants at the summit, the monarch further proposed that if federal authorities were unwilling to release Kanu unconditionally, arrangements could be made for him to return to either Kenya, where he was previously apprehended, or the United Kingdom, where he has residency ties.
In a joint statement, three diaspora-based bodies , American Veterans of Igbo Descent, Ambassadors for Self-Determination, and Rising Sun Foundation , commended the traditional ruler for what they termed “moral clarity.” The statement was endorsed by representatives of the respective organisations, who urged other leaders in the region to adopt a firmer stance on issues affecting their communities.
The groups expressed concern over what they see as widespread silence among political and traditional leaders in the South-east. They argued that failure to publicly address the matter risks weakening public trust and undermining the moral authority of community institutions.
They concluded by calling for collective engagement from stakeholders across Igboland, insisting that leadership demands courage in moments of political tension. The organisations maintained that sustained advocacy and open dialogue remain essential in resolving contentious national issues and restoring confidence among affected populations.
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