In a recent interview with Symfoni TV, Ikenga Ugochinyere, a prominent member of Nigeria’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP),
voiced strong criticism toward the federal government over its handling of the South East’s grievances and the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Ugochinyere cited multiple court rulings in Kanu’s favor, questioning why these legal pronouncements have been ignored and warning that such actions fuel resentment toward the government.
“The Judicial System has made conclusive pronouncements at different times,” Ugochinyere said. “Federal High Court, different courts, have stated that this trial has no legal basis, but you’re still fighting.
I must prove he’s guilty — that means you hate the tribe.” His comments reflect growing frustration in the South East, where many view Kanu’s detention as politically motivated and emblematic of deeper issues of injustice and exclusion.
Ugochinyere also condemned the government’s 2017 raid on Kanu’s residence, labeling it as an “attempt to assassinate and kill him.” Describing the violence that unfolded, he added, “Everybody saw the day the people invaded.
There was no cause for that, and then people were killed, beheaded, and massacred.” The brutality of this incident, he argued, exemplifies a pattern of disregard for the rights and security of the South East’s residents.
The PDP member’s statements come at a time of heightened tension in the South East, where calls for self-determination continue to gain traction amidst perceptions of systemic marginalization.
Ugochinyere’s interview highlights the need for the federal government to respect court rulings and engage with South East leaders, both to de-escalate the situation and to address grievances that he suggests go beyond Kanu’s detention.
