Renowned Nigerian journalist and publisher, Dele Momodu, has urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to rethink its approach toward the continued Nnamdi Kanu detention, warning that silencing the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader will not bring unity to the country.
In a statement shared via his X handle on Tuesday, Momodu reflected on Kanu’s long imprisonment, describing it as an ineffective method of addressing the deep-rooted causes of agitation in the South-East.
He argued that detaining one man cannot resolve decades of marginalisation and historical injustice.
According to the Ovation Magazine publisher, the Nigerian government must confront the long-standing political and economic exclusion that birthed the Biafra movement.
“The Biafra sentiment grew from decades of neglect,” Momodu stated, adding that the frustrations of young people in the region stem from persistent inequality and lack of inclusion.
He emphasised that using force to suppress regional voices would only deepen resentment and mistrust toward the federal government.
“Suppressing voices will only deepen discontent in the South-East,” he warned.
Momodu traced the agitation to Nigeria’s civil war history, noting that the conflict of the late 1960s left scars that are yet to heal.
He said the ongoing neglect of the South-East has continued to reopen those wounds.
“The rise of the Biafra movement was the outcome of decades of marginalisation and deprivation,” he wrote.
Quoting one of Kanu’s past broadcasts, Momodu explained that the detained IPOB leader’s rhetoric reflected both intellectual depth and emotional pain rooted in Nigeria’s unaddressed injustices.
However, he stressed that while he does not support violent agitation, the government must listen to the underlying message rather than focus solely on punishment.
“I will never support violence,” Momodu said. “But any sensible government will keep the geniuses of the South-East busy with productive engagements instead of hate.”
Furthermore, he argued that unity cannot be achieved through repression.
“Nigeria needs reconfiguration, not repression,” he declared, urging President Tinubu to embrace restructuring as the path to national stability.
Momodu maintained that true leadership involves bringing together the best minds from every part of the country.
He called for political inclusion that allows every region to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Meanwhile, his comments have stirred wide reactions online, with many Nigerians agreeing that addressing historical grievances is vital for peace.
