A traditional ruler from the South-East, Eze Lawrence Agubuzu, has called on President Bola Tinubu to either release the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, or return him to Kenya, where he was originally arrested
Agubuzu, the Eze Ogbunechendo of Ezema Olo Kingdom in Enugu State, made the appeal on Tuesday during the 2026 National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit on Health at the State House, Abuja. President Tinubu attended the summit as Special Guest of Honour.
Addressing the President during the traditional rulers’ remarks segment, Agubuzu said Kanu’s continued detention was increasing agitation among youths in the South-East.
“I must tell you, Mr President, that personally, I don’t feel very happy,” he said, noting the situation in the region had become increasingly tense.
Citing earlier summit discussions on unity and national cohesion, Agubuzu argued that genuine reconciliation would be difficult while Kanu remained in detention. “The ball stops in your court. Bring this man out. If we don’t want him in Nigeria, return him to Kenya or London, where they took him from,” he stated.
The monarch also highlighted the growing hostility faced by traditional rulers in the region, with youths accusing them of failing to speak out. “Some of us here are being asked to go and work, but the young people in the South-East are so agitated they can even beat us. They see us as sellouts. We come to Abuja — they may think we’ve come to collect money and then keep quiet,” he said.
Agubuzu further criticised the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council, insisting it does not represent the entire South. He warned against allocating resources through a body he described as unrepresentative, saying, “If you want to deal with us, deal with us in the South-East. If you have resources for us, give it to us. Don’t give it to people who come and say they represent a traditional rulers council.”
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