Chijioke Nwachukwu, a justice and public affairs expert, has criticised Minister of Works Dave Umahi for saying that releasing Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), isn’t a condition for the Igbo people to support President Bola Tinubu’s reelection in 2027.

Recently, Daily Post reported that the Igbo youth group, the All Igbo Youth Forum, demanded Kanu’s unconditional release as a condition to support Tinubu and the ruling party, APC, in the upcoming elections. However, Umahi disagreed, saying Kanu’s release isn’t necessary for the Igbos to back Tinubu. He claimed that Igbos are happy with Tinubu and will support him in 2027.

In response, Nwachukwu issued a strong statement on Sunday, saying Umahi does not speak for all Igbo people. He called Umahi’s comments offensive and politically mistaken.

Nwachukwu’s statement emphasised that the fight for Kanu’s release is about justice and human rights, not politics. He reminded everyone that Nigeria’s courts have cleared Kanu of all charges and declared his detention unlawful. International courts have also condemned how Kanu was kidnapped, tortured, and transferred illegally.

He added that it’s disappointing and a betrayal for someone like Umahi to suggest that Kanu’s fate should be linked to political support. Such ideas show ignorance of the true feelings of many Igbos, who see Kanu as a symbol of their struggle against marginalisation.

Nwachukwu also challenged Umahi to hold a town hall meeting in places like Enugu, Aba, or Onitsha and see how many people would attend voluntarily, proving that Kanu’s support runs deep.

He concluded that Kanu is a leader loved by many because of the pain and injustice his people have faced. To treat him as a bargaining chip is an insult to the resilience of Ndigbo and Biafrans worldwide. Nwachukwu warned that political leaders who ignore the law regarding Kanu are risking the trust of the Igbo people.

Finally, he urged leaders to be courageous and honour the law, emphasising that Kanu’s release isn’t a favour to be bought with votes — it’s a moral and legal duty. He warned that the Igbo people and the world are watching closely, and that supporting justice is in everyone’s best interest.