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Observers say this silence is not new. It reflects a long-running pattern of political caution among regional leaders whenever the IPOB matter resurfaces, especially concerning Kanu’s detention or legal battles.

The five governors of Nigeria’s South East region have maintained a striking and controversial silence following the life sentence handed down to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), by the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday.

The judgment, delivered by Justice James Omotosho, has triggered widespread condemnation across the region and beyond.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that Kanu was also secretly transferred from the DSS custody in Abuja to a correctional centre in Sokoto State.

Yet, as regional and national stakeholders voice strong reactions, the political leaders closest to the issue — South East governors— have not released statements, convened meetings, or taken a public stance.

Observers say this silence is not new. It reflects a long-running pattern of political caution among regional leaders whenever the IPOB matter resurfaces, especially concerning Kanu’s detention or legal battles.

The region’s political establishment has long walked a tightrope: addressing legitimate grievances among the youth while avoiding being seen as endorsing a separatist group designated as a terrorist organisation by the federal government.

But critics argue that this latest episode crosses from caution into abdication.

Public frustration is fuelled by memories of the South East Governors’ Forum’s role in the 2017 proscription of IPOB.

Under then-chairman Governor David Umahi— now Minister of Works — the Forum officially banned the group at the height of mass flag-waving demonstrations across the region.

At the time, Umahi was seen as aligning closely with the administration of then-President Muhammadu Buhari. Critics say this political alignment came at the cost of alienating and endangering Igbo youth involved in largely symbolic protests.

The proscription by the governors served as the foundation for the Buhari administration’s subsequent designation of IPOB as a terrorist organisation through an ex-parte order — an order that IPOB appealed but which has remained unheard at the Court of Appeal for years.

Notably, although a High Court in Enugu State nullified the proscription in 2023, Justice Omotosho still relied on the original ban to convict Kanu as the leader of a terrorist organization.

Across major cities in the South East, residents say the governors’ silence feels like yet another betrayal at a moment of heightened emotional tension.

“They helped create the situation that led to IPOB being labelled a terrorist group, and now they can’t speak when the consequences are unfolding,” said a political observer in Anambra.

Civil society groups such as Ohanaeze Ndigbo, MASSOB, and the Ohanaeze Youth Council have already condemned the ruling, describing it as a miscarriage of justice. Their open criticism makes the governors’ silence even more conspicuous.

A community leader in Enugu told SaharaReporters: “Even if they don’t want to take sides, they should at least address their people and call for calm. Leadership is not silence.”

Sources within government circles suggest that the governors worry that any public comment—whether critical or supportive of the ruling—could escalate tensions in a region already grappling with insecurity, sit-at-home disruptions, and armed groups claiming affiliation with IPOB.

But analysts argue that silence is itself a political risk. It feeds narratives that South East leaders are detached from grassroots realities or unwilling to defend their own people when national decisions disproportionately affect the region.

Security agencies have reportedly increased deployments across several South East states to deter potential unrest. Intelligence sources say authorities are monitoring groups that may attempt to exploit public anger following the ruling.

SaharaReporters had reported that human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, confirmed that the administration of President Bola Tinubu had secretly transferred IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to a correctional facility in Sokoto State, warning that the move poses severe risks to his safety.

Sowore made this known on Friday, a day after Justice Mobolaji Omotosho convicted Kanu on seven-count charges and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

Speaking, Sowore in a post accused the Nigerian government of implementing a covert plan to isolate Kanu in what he described as a notorious prison in northern Nigeria.

"Yes, they have already planned it. Their intention since yesterday was to move Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to a notorious prison based in the northern parts, where his safety cannot be guaranteed. I can confirm now that he's already in Sokoto prison,” Sowore said.

According to Sowore, government officials feared that placing Kanu in Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja would turn the facility into a “pilgrimage ground” for supporters from across the South-East.

"They openly said he would “become a king” if taken to Kuje correctional center in Abuja, because according to them, “Igbo people” and his supporters would turn Kuje into a place of pilgrimage.

"That is why they are desperate to keep him far away, isolated, and vulnerable."

The former presidential candidate stated that government-aligned actors are now engaged in what he described as a psychological operation to manipulate public perception and weaken calls for Kanu’s freedom.

Source: https://saharareporters.com/2025/11/21/south-east-governors-keep-mute-nnamdi-kanus-life-sentence-transfer-sokoto-prison?fbclid=IwY2xjawOOO8NleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR5GPa63QYkhX3OZNOZpV9DiIvHrtulbBL37nUKG9-tsESTPG-97_1k_UkdHWg_aem_PjGpgVZ0VyMS10TxF7dRBw

Insects wey dey chop vegetables, na around vegetables it dey live

The governors are playing safe.

I don't really know what the issues are.
I expected the SE governors or the leaders from SE to have dialogue with Nnamdi Kanu to eschew violence, help him heal from all the traumatic experience, comfort and reassure him.Thereafter, the governors should meet the president to find a lasting political solution to the Nnamdi Kanu case.
My opinion.

What do you want SE governors to do,to break jail and free him from custody of now disgraced islamic government of Tinubu?
Tinubu that gave him a life sentence have made any comment yet?

Ojiofor:
What do you want SE governors to do,to break jail and free him from custody of now disgraced islamic government of Tinubu?
Tinubu that gave him a life sentence have made any comment yet?

What was their terms and conditions before joining Apc. Was Kanu not part of the negotiations?

The same people he abused, you want them to help him, is TIT for TAT

The South East governors dont want to be seen as supporting Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB. A wise decision, given the current realities.

No sane leader will support and lobby for Kanu's release.

helinues:
What was their terms and conditions before joining Apc. Was Kanu not part of the negotiations?

Tinubu is responsible for Nnamdi Kanu being sentenced to life in prison and he can decide to pardon him tomorrow if he so wishes.

The South East governors are in a dilemma. Whatever they say would be misinterpreted by either the pro Kanu or anti Kanu.

They should have just waited for the court of appeal ruling.

Ojiofor:
Tinubu is responsible for Nnamdi Kanu being sentenced to life in prison and he can decide to pardon him tomorrow if he so wishes.

Answer my question without shifting

helinues:
Answer my question without shifting

If you have the agreement they signed with Tinubu before they joined islamic government of Ahmed Tinubu post it here for us to see.I am not their secretary.

Ojiofor:
What do you want SE governors to do,to break jail and free him from custody of now disgraced islamic government of Tinubu?
Tinubu that gave him a life sentence have made any comment yet?

Ojiofor you are now back to supporting Nnamdi Kanu?

They are not mute. They are strategizing.

Nna aghotarozim 😱 has his NL account been hacked ⁉️😱

Okoroawusa:
Ojiofor you are now back to supporting Nnamdi Kanu?

Okoroawusa:
Ojiofor you are now back to supporting Nnamdi Kanu?

Support him as en how?
Read deeply to understand,I am only defending SE governors whom helinues is trying to set up and btw my anti ipob position doesn't translate to mean I am APC apologist no I am not. they fight terrorist in SE which is good while they sponsor terrorist else where.
LottiOK

madridguy:
No sane leader will support and lobby for Kanu's release.

While sane leaders and their collaborators in Tinubu's government including those with direct contacts of Bandits and terrorists will support and negotiate with bandits and terrorrist committing heinous crimes, grant them amnesty, rehabilitate them and absorb them into the Nigerian military

LottiOk:
Nna aghotarozim 😱 has his NL account been hacked ⁉️😱

No. Ojiofor's account has not been hacked. He has already explained his position to me.

Ojiofor:
Support him as en how?
Read deeply to understand,I am only defending SE governors whom helinues is trying to set up and btw my anti ipob position doesn't translate to mean I am APC apologist no I am not. they fight terrorist in SE which is good while they sponsor terrorist else where.
LottiOK

Ojiofor nwannem, at no time have I taken you for an APC apologist. We are both anti-IPOB but I am the APC apologist...

I kukuma trust Soludo. My governor will be like good riddance to bad rubbish.

We all enjoyed that last election in Anambra state.

The okoko in Fendi used to order for sit at home during Anambra elections. You will see big boys begging him with millions just so Anambra election can hold. Two days to the election he will collect the money and tell his followers that they can now go out and vote that it is settled. .

Chai,! My own Anambra state.

If you tell his followers that their supreme leader used to collect huge money from state actors before asking them later to go out and vote. They will rain you with insults.

What do you expect them to say?

Nnamdi Kanu don't even help himself, he insult everyone.

Am Igbo and am not his fan

You only help someone that need your help. Did Nnamdi Kanu seek for their help?

I can't insult my leaders, my elders publicly and claim to be a freedom fighter. In anything you do, also have respect for people especially your elders.

Adaisback:
I kukuma trust Soludo. My governor will be like good riddance to bad rubbish.

We all enjoyed that last election in Anambra state.

The okoko in Fendi used to order for sit at home during Anambra elections. You will see big boys begging him with millions just so Anambra election can hold. Two days to the election he will collect the money and tell his followers that they can now go out and vote that it is settled. .

Chai,! My own Anambra state.

If you tell his followers that their supreme leader used to collect huge money from state actors before asking them later to go out and vote. They will rain you with insults.

Is it possible for you to stop flooding important threads here with all these your beer parlour grunts?

You don't like Kanu and ipob, we get that. But don't make it look like your dislike ofnhus person is motivated by primitive hate.

Some of you will be serving a gazillion years in prison if all the necessary laws on libel are implemented ruthlessly in this country..

Abi, Your uncle was partnofnthe delegates that gave him monetary bribes to allow elections in your almighty Anambra

Very unfair, they are working hard behind the scenes despite Ohamdike giving them nothing, and I mean nothing to work with going by his rancid, immature behaviour in court.