The United Igbo Elders Council (UNIEC) Worldwide has expressed deep concern over the ongoing detention and prosecution of Nnamdi Kanu, describing the situation as more than a routine legal matter and highlighting its potential impact on the credibility of Igbo leadership.
In a statement titled “UNIEC Worldwide: The Necessity of Responsible Igbo Leadership Engagement on the Nnamdi Kanu Matter”, released yesterday and signed by its Director-General, Justice Alpha Ikpeama, the council warned that continued silence by some Igbo leaders risks undermining both their moral authority and public confidence.
UNIEC stressed that the case has become a “critical test of leadership responsibility, constitutional fidelity, and national inclusiveness within the Nigerian federation.” While the Federal Government frames the matter as a national security issue, the council highlighted ongoing concerns regarding due process, jurisdictional consistency, and compliance with legal and human rights standards.
“The United Igbo Elders Council, UNIEC Worldwide, as a body vested with moral authority and a deep sense of responsibility to the Igbo nation, has undertaken a careful and dispassionate review of the ongoing detention and prosecution of Nnamdi Kanu,” the statement read.
The council drew attention to the Igbo nation’s history of unity and strategic leadership, particularly during the Nigerian Civil War and post-war recovery, and urged leaders to take active roles in addressing the matter. UNIEC warned that inaction or detachment by sections of Igbo leadership could erode both moral authority and public trust.
Highlighting the heightened tensions in the South-East, UNIEC called for coordinated leadership engagement to maintain regional stability and support national cohesion. The council affirmed its commitment to the rule of law and advocated for due process, fairness, and judicial integrity, while encouraging constructive political dialogue.
UNIEC urged prominent Igbo leaders to engage the Federal Government through lawful and diplomatic channels, support credible legal proceedings, and address the deeper socio-political issues driving regional agitation.
“This moment calls not for rhetoric, but for thoughtful and strategic action. To remain silent is to concede relevance. To act with unity and purpose is to shape outcomes and secure the future,” the council concluded.
The statement underscores the council’s concern that inaction could compromise the Igbo leadership’s legitimacy while emphasizing the need for principled and coordinated responses.
