Reported by Afilawos Magana Sur, investigative Journalist at Sele Media Africa.
Emotion ran high over the weekend in Isama Afaraukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, as 99-year-old community matriarch, Mrs. Serah Oparaocha, publicly appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release detained separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu before her death.Mrs. Oparaocha, a long-standing member of the Afaraukwu community—Kanu’s hometown—made the emotional plea during a local gathering that drew residents and sympathisers. Her appeal underscores the continuing depth of feeling in parts of Nigeria’s South-East over Kanu’s prolonged detention and the broader agitation for Biafra.Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been in the custody of the Federal Government since his re-arrest in 2021. He is facing charges bordering on terrorism and treasonable felony. The Federal Government maintains that his prosecution is a matter of national security and rule of law, while supporters argue that his detention has exacerbated insecurity and political tensions in the region. The case has remained a focal point of legal and political debate. In October 2022, the Court of Appeal discharged Kanu, a decision later challenged by the Federal Government at the Supreme Court. In December 2023, the Supreme Court set aside the appellate court’s ruling and ordered that his trial continue at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Since then, proceedings have resumed amid tight security and sustained public scrutiny. Major international and domestic media outlets, including the BBC News, Al Jazeera, Reuters, and Nigeria’s Premium Times, have extensively reported on Kanu’s arrest, extradition controversy, and ongoing trial, highlighting both legal complexities and the broader implications for national unity and regional stability. President Tinubu’s administration has not publicly indicated any intention to interfere with the judicial process. Government officials have repeatedly stated that the matter remains before the courts and will be resolved in accordance with the law.In the South-East, however, calls for a political solution persist. Several political leaders, traditional rulers, and civil society actors have urged the Federal Government to consider dialogue as part of a broader strategy to restore calm and rebuild trust in the region. Analysts note that the continued detention of Kanu remains a polarising issue, influencing voter sentiment, security dynamics, and intergovernmental relations. Mrs. Oparaocha’s plea reflects a deeply personal dimension of a national controversy—one that intertwines generational memory, regional identity, and contemporary politics. At 99, her appeal resonates as both a humanitarian request and a symbol of unresolved grievances in Nigeria’s post-civil war history. As the legal process continues, the Kanu case remains a defining test of Nigeria’s constitutional order, federal cohesion, and commitment to due process. Whether resolved through the courts or political dialogue, its outcome will carry significant implications for the country’s democratic trajectory. Sources:BBC News; Al Jazeera; Reuters; Premium Times; The Guardian Nigeria; Channels Television.
Afilawos Magana Sur is a journalist from Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, currently based in Bauchi metropolis. He is known for his commitment to accurate, ethical, and responsible journalism, with a focus on reporting issues of public relevance and community development.
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