Soludo Sparks Debate, Says Nnamdi Kanu’s Release Has Nothing to Do with South-East Insecurity

Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has ignited controversy by insisting that the detention of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is unrelated to the ongoing security crisis in the South-East.

Speaking during a media chat to mark his third year in office, Soludo—who has been vocal in calling for Kanu’s release—dismissed the widely held belief that freeing the IPOB leader would restore peace to the region. He argued that insecurity in the South-East is driven by criminal elements, not Kanu’s continued detention.

“For me, the release of Nnamdi Kanu is separate from the issue of security; I don’t link the two,” Soludo declared.

He further accused Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed IPOB leader based in Finland, of hijacking the movement and fueling violence in the region, describing his activities as a “killing spree.”

Soludo’s remarks contradict the views of many Igbo leaders who believe Kanu’s detention is a key factor in the South-East’s instability. His stance has sparked heated debate, with some praising his pragmatic approach while others accuse him of downplaying the political roots of the crisis.