₦airaland Forum

malali:
The Federal Government’s caution on this matter is entirely justified. Nnamdi Kanu’s detention isn’t about silencing dissent, it’s about preventing chaos. His past rhetoric and directives led to violence, the deaths of security operatives, and destruction of property across the Southeast. Releasing him now, without any genuine show of remorse or commitment to peaceful dialogue, would risk reigniting those tensions.

President Tinubu must not repeat the mistakes of appeasement. Nigeria is still healing from years of division, and national unity cannot be traded for political sentiment. Until Kanu publicly renounces separatist violence and proves he’s ready to pursue his cause through lawful, peaceful means, keeping him in custody remains a matter of national security, not personal vendetta. Allowing his release prematurely would be a direct threat to the safety of millions and could undermine the efforts of the government to restore order in the region.

gidgiddy:
This is a classic case of someone who claims to be intelligent, but had no problems with the Nigerian security forces shooting and killing unarmed peaceful protesters

malali:

The peace you see in other states, even for foreigners, didn’t come for free. If someone like Nnamdi Kanu were active in Lagos, it wouldn’t be a safe or peaceful environment for Igbos or Hausas. It’s the federal government’s duty to ensure every state remains secure, and for the Southeast to be truly peaceful, Nnamdi Kanu must be restrained.

DomPerignon:
How I wish that your useless Giringori will be on the ballot come 2027 so that you will see the auto correction that has began since this administration was sworn in.

You are seeing defections to APC and also many non Ibos abandoning your IPOB obidient movement for you but you still assume the protest vote against APC in 2023 will still repeat itself.

See , tell your obidient mob to register a brand new party and give Obi his most sought automatic ticket so he can contest in 2027.

The disgrace that he will get outside his SE no ho make am even dare go court .

Kingosytex:
Igbo political class are the ones holding MNK in that dungeon, he would be out if they want to.
Do I blame them? No, they are protecting their businesses.
MNK's claim to know it all and not giving room for dissenting views is a big problem.
MNK's flaunting of the ESN which metamorphosed to BLA, an offshoot of UGM killed every sympathy most people had for him.
The damage the said freedom fighters have caused in Imo especially Okigwe is terrible and will take years to be corrected.

MNK isn't totally wrong as all these stem from the fact that the Igbos are being marginalized. Insecurity here and there, herders trying to overrun and take over people's ancestral lands while the government sit, fold their arms, and do absolutely nothing.

malali:
The Federal Government’s caution on this matter is entirely justified. Nnamdi Kanu’s detention isn’t about silencing dissent, it’s about preventing chaos. His past rhetoric and directives led to violence, the deaths of security operatives, and destruction of property across the Southeast. Releasing him now, without any genuine show of remorse or commitment to peaceful dialogue, would risk reigniting those tensions.

President Tinubu must not repeat the mistakes of appeasement. Nigeria is still healing from years of division, and national unity cannot be traded for political sentiment. Until Kanu publicly renounces separatist violence and proves he’s ready to pursue his cause through lawful, peaceful means, keeping him in custody remains a matter of national security, not personal vendetta. Allowing his release prematurely would be a direct threat to the safety of millions and could undermine the efforts of the government to restore order in the region.

Okoroemekah:
releasing the man unconditionally will be like pouring fuel to fire.he might even go inside the forest and lead a rebel group and thousands will flock to his banner

malali:

The peace you see in other states, even for foreigners, didn’t come for free. If someone like Nnamdi Kanu were active in Lagos, it wouldn’t be a safe or peaceful environment for Igbos or Hausas. It’s the federal government’s duty to ensure every state remains secure, and for the Southeast to be truly peaceful, Nnamdi Kanu must be restrained.

malali:

Mr Conspirator.
How many Hausa/Yoruba Nigerians are allowed to own properties and businesses peacefully in the SouthEast ?

3Ceagle:
You probably don't know South-east. You swallow everything said on social media hook, line and sinker. First, people don't sell their land just to please you or look good. There must be a need. Secondly, there are many hausa/yoruba who own properties and do businesses over there, especially the areas you have them as a community. If they are maligned how come they have flourishing leadership in the various states.

3Ceagle:
First you should know that Lagos/SW and SE is not the same. That we are lumped together as one country does not mean we have one common goal. Nigeria as a country does not have a goal. You did not condemn the FG that killed many peaceful protester in the early days of the movement. You did not condemn Buhari for his insensitivity in ordering the killing of innocent civilians in the SE for just believing in the movement. You did not condemn Buhari for sending soldiers to kill him in his home which they eventually killed many people in his house. Those lives don't matter right?
When did the violent activities start, was it before or after the extra judicial killings of peaceful protesters? I have reservations in some of the later activities of the group but how do you excuse the FG for their high handedness. The state has power to exterminate right? Do know that human right organisations condemned and documented the various killing by the state against this people. Buhari designated them terrorist organisation but adamantly refused to do the same to those wielding AK47 in bushes, killing and raping women in their farms and displacing villages. So where is the justice in Nigeria?
Finally, was ANC a terrorist organisation? Why were they designated a terrorist organisation by SA, UK, USA and others? Are they still terrorist organisation today?
All hostilities ended on a negotiation table isn't it, why can't FG do the same for all the nationalities that make up the country. All lives matters.
Let view things from all sides.

malali:
Thank you for acknowledging that what Nnamdi Kanu did in the Southeast could never have been allowed to happen in Lagos. Every region has its share of dissatisfied people, even Lagos has individuals who question the structure of Nigeria. But the difference lies in leadership and response. If the governor of the Southeast had managed the escalating violence and destruction of property effectively, there would have been no need to involve the Federal Government.

President Buhari only intervened after the sitting governor, the Chief Security Officer of the state, requested federal assistance, recognizing that the situation was spiraling out of control. It’s important to note that insurgents, terrorists, and separatists exist across Nigeria, from the North to the Niger Delta, and each group employs different tactics to spread chaos. Therefore, comparing how the government handles each region is a futile exercise; security responses are context-driven, not uniform.

The ANC in South Africa represented 95% of the oppressed population rising against a 5% minority regime. That’s completely different from Nnamdi Kanu’s movement, which represented barely 5% of Southeasterners trying to oppose 95% of Nigerians. Even within the Southeast, not everyone supported him, many were coerced into compliance.

His so-called “stay-at-home” orders crippled the economy, forcing businesses to close under threat. That’s not democracy, that’s fear. The people never voted for it; their elected representatives in the Senate or House never endorsed it. It was rule by intimidation.

The Federal Government, in this case, acted responsibly. No single individual should be allowed to turn himself into a warlord, holding an entire region hostage and wrecking lives and livelihoods. If the goal was truly self-determination, there are constitutional and diplomatic channels to pursue a referendum. not violence.

In truth, Nnamdi Kanu is fortunate to still be alive. Many former leaders would not have handled his case with such restraint.

Kingosytex:
Igbo political class are the ones holding MNK in that dungeon, he would be out if they want to.
Do I blame them? No, they are protecting their businesses.
MNK's claim to know it all and not giving room for dissenting views is a big problem.
MNK's flaunting of the ESN which metamorphosed to BLA, an offshoot of UGM killed every sympathy most people had for him.
The damage the said freedom fighters have caused in Imo especially Okigwe is terrible and will take years to be corrected.

MNK isn't totally wrong as all these stem from the fact that the Igbos are being marginalized. Insecurity here and there, herders trying to overrun and take over people's ancestral lands while the government sit, fold their arms, and do absolutely nothing.

malali:

Every day, Nnamdi Kanu went on air preaching venom, spreading ethnic hate and openly advocating violence toward other Nigerian groups. His rhetoric went unchecked, and his crowd of online cheerleaders encouraged it. The result? Loss of lives, destruction of property, and an escalation of insecurity across the Southeast.

There are countless videos of him hurling insults at Yorubas, Hausas, and Fulanis, labeling them with every vile name imaginable, and yet, no one raised a protest against this.

Now, after his arrest, the region has experienced relative peace. People who once feared traveling home now confidently return to the East for Christmas. During his agitation, the situation was dire, you either paid “protection fees” to his followers or hired MOPOL or private guards just to move around safely.

And today, the same voices that were silent when he endangered others are demanding his release.

malali:

Mr Conspirator.
How many Hausa/Yoruba Nigerians are allowed to own properties and businesses peacefully in the SouthEast ?

biremi:
I don't like it when people shift the goal post in any discussion I am involved
Any person that indulge in goal post shifting during a discussion demonstrates his lack of capacity for rational thinking
I don't indulge such people
Have a nice day

3Ceagle:
You did not answer my question. Were they initially peaceful? What led to change of method, was it killing of innocent protesters, hunting down of their perceived members? In one pathetic case, the police went to an open ground where they were having their regular meeting, shot and killed many who had only flags in their hands. What was their offence? Was it that they killed people or that they demanded a country? Has government ever been held responsible for anything in this country?
The Governors are self serving and they know that majority of the people in SE and especially the youth align with the demands of the group. The Governors had a meeting with him in August 2017 with a follow-up to come. Did the arrogant Governors ever disclose the groups demand and what transpired in the meeting. Simply because those Governors lack capacity to manage crises. Should the FG also follow the Governors sheepishly. The truth is that the Nigeria state hate dissenting voices. The only president, who had brains to solve a national problem was President Umaru Yar'Adua. He found a way to bring peace in the Niger Delta.

On the statistics of 5% to 95%, who did the poll? Do you think the FG will sincerely allow for referendum especially when there have been serious push to not put referendum in the constitution.

MNK abused everyone including his own tribesmen, which I think was overboard.

The insecurity in the SE is multidimensional, all sort of criminals, state and non-state actors took advantage of the situation, especially with Simon Ekpa group. The calm there today is because, MNK IPOB washed their hands off from the continued sit at home order and the charging of Ekpa to court by Finland government.

The Nigerian state should better take the issue of Equity, Fairness and Justice for all very serious otherwise we'll continue to have dissenting voices.

gidgiddy:
This is a classic case of someone who claims to be intelligent, but had no problems with the Nigerian security forces shooting and killing unarmed peaceful protesters

malali:
Many bandits and insurgents have been neutralized or jailed, and enforcement continues. But even if there were 100 million of them, that doesn’t justify releasing Nnamdi Kanu. He must face the law.

If you’re caught stealing a chicken, pointing to someone who stole a cow and hasn’t been caught doesn’t excuse your crime or negate your punishment.

Kewekubosineh:
You have grudge against KANU. So, your submission can't be taken seriously.

We don't have Two laws in the country. So, what applies to North should apply to South

KANU was acquitted by a competent Court, Federal High Court Abuja,about two years ago but still being held.

So,it pricks your conscience fine that someone released by the Court still being held in the custody?

What goes round comes around. So, be very careful!

malali:

Grudge ? Thats a big word you are using.
He has effed around now its time for him to find out.
Its called FAFO.....Google it.

DomPerignon:
You dey try.

Trying to make sense and reason with these deranged cannibals is futile.

malali:

The government pleaded for them to use the right channels to express dissent , they refused, instead they clowned the government, spread propaganda like crazy. People lost their lives and their properties. But guess what...Now that Nnmadi Kanu and Simon Ekpa are locked up !! We have peace and quiet. No more warlord,home and abroad.
The government will never release Nnamdi Kanu. If we have to sacrifice him for peace in the Southeast. Then so be it. I understand the emotional connection to his drama. But no man can threaten the peace of a whole region.

3Ceagle:
The questions I asked are still not answered. Discussion like this help view event from different angles and objectively find the missing links and project solutions. I see that you are fixated only on the aftermath and on MNK, peace of the grave yard. I yield the floor.