By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, of plotting to sacrifice its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, in a bid to advance his ambition to become the Vice President of Nigeria.

IPOB made the claim in a statement released on Monday by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, after Soludo attacked Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, for demanding Kanu’s release.

IPOB described Soludo’s alleged ambition to become Vice President in 2031 under a Fulani-led ticket as “shameless”, and expressed regret that the governor had made a U-turn on earlier promises he made to Kanu during a visit to the pro-Biafra agitator in prison.

The group further accused Soludo of betraying the Igbo cause, warning that history will not forget his treachery.

Parts of the statement reads: “The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has watched with utter disgust and righteous anger as Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo of Anambra State, through his government, viciously attacked Mr. Peter Obi for demanding the immediate and unconditional release of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“What a tragic betrayal! What a painful display of naked hypocrisy and desperate political prostitution!

“Let it be known to the world that in January 2023, the same Governor Soludo made a high-profile visit to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu at the DSS facility in Abuja. He sat with our leader, shook his hands, looked into his eyes, and publicly demanded his release. He went as far as offering to stand as surety for Kanu. As recently as March 2025, Soludo’s own Commissioner for Information, Mr. Law Mefor, boasted that the governor “has been actively working towards Kanu’s release” because he believed it would restore peace in the South-East.

“Today, the same Soludo, through his government, describes Peter Obi’s identical call for justice as “a slap on the Nigerian judiciary” and claims it undermines judicial processes. This is not statesmanship. This is the height of treachery and political chameleonic behaviour.

“Governor Soludo, what suddenly changed? What changed is your blind and shameless ambition to become Vice President in 2031 under a Fulani-led ticket. You have now chosen to sacrifice Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the collective interest of the Igbo nation on the altar of caliphate appeasement. You want to outdo Dave Umahi, Orji Uzor Kalu, Hope Uzodinma, Rochas Okorocha, and Chris Ngige in the hall of fame of Igbo betrayers. But history has already judged them, and it will judge you even more harshly.”

IPOB further accused Soludo of taking advantage of Kanu’s popularity to secure political power.

The statement added: “No true son of the soil — no man with authentic Igbo blood flowing in his veins — turns against the freedom of his own brother after riding on that same cause to power. You visited Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in detention when you needed Igbo votes and his moral endorsement to become governor. Now that you occupy the seat, you have shamelessly turned against him and the people who put you there, all in pursuit of crumbs from Abuja.

“You are not a leader. You are a political weathercock — turning wherever the wind of power blows. A hypocrite of the highest order. The same judiciary you now defend with fake reverence is the one that has held our leader in illegal, dehumanising detention for years in clear violation of court orders. Yet you choose to defend oppression against your own brother for personal gain.

“Soludo’s shameful new stance is not only a betrayal of the Igbo cause but a direct insult to the memory of great Igbo icons who fearlessly championed the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. It is an insult to the legacy of Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, the revered First Republic Minister who offered refuge to Nelson Mandela at his darkest hour when he fled to Nigeria. It is an insult to the memory of Chief Emmanuel Obiozor, Ambassador George Obiozor, and the entire leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo — men of integrity who stood boldly for justice and the unconditional release of our leader.”

Insisting that Soludo’s action cannot derail the movement for Kanu’s freedom, the statement added, “Let it be clear: the demand for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release is not an Igbo affair alone. IPOB stands shoulder to shoulder with Prophet Ayodele, the respected Yoruba man of God who spoke truth to power just a few days ago, alongside other well-meaning Nigerians from the Hausa North, the Christian Middle Belt, and across the federation who have continued to call for his freedom. Justice knows no tribe. Only a man chasing personal ambition at the expense of his people would pretend otherwise.

“The blood of thousands of innocent Biafran youths slaughtered in the East continues to cry out from the ground. Their mothers still weep inconsolably. Their children still ask why their father remains in chains. And at this critical moment, an Igbo governor chooses to pour salt on these open wounds just to please his northern puppet masters. Shame! Deep, generational shame on you, Soludo!

“IPOB stands firmly with Mr. Peter Obi, Prophet Ayodele, and every well-meaning Nigerian — Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Middle Belt, and beyond — who continues to demand the immediate release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The release of our leader is not a political tool for ambition; it is a non-negotiable demand for justice, equity, and the restoration of the dignity of the Igbo nation and the conscience of Nigeria.

“We warn Governor Soludo: The Igbo nation has a long memory. We have seen your type before — those who traded collective interest for personal gain and ended up discarded like used tissue paper. Your northern masters will never trust a proven betrayer of his own people.”

IPOB restated its demand for Kanu’s unconditional release, adding that the activities of traitors cannot stop the unstoppable march towards the actualization of Biafra.

“Release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu Now! The spirit of Biafra is alive. The resolve of Ndigbo and all justice-loving Nigerians remains unshaken. No amount of political gymnastics or betrayal from modern-day Efulefus like Soludo can stop the unstoppable march towards freedom and justice.”

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