Peter Mbah says Nnamdi Kanu’s prolonged detention needs a political solution, urging the South-East to unite behind a non-judicial resolution path

Peter Mbah Nnamdi Kanu political solution calls took centre stage on Tuesday as the Governor of Enugu State declared that the continued detention of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader must be resolved through political channels rather than relying solely on the courts.

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Governor Mbah made the statement during a state-wide broadcast following his surprise defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a move expected to reshape the political landscape of the South-East, he reiterated his long-held belief that Nnamdi Kanu’s issue demands more than legal action.

“It took barely a week after I assumed office that I had a meeting with the president,” Mbah revealed. “And I was very specific when I came out to address the press—that I also raised the issue of Nnamdi Kanu with the President.”

Mbah insisted that a sustainable resolution can only come through dialogue and political will, not through prolonged litigation.

“I believe strongly that the Nnamdi Kanu problem is going to be solved politically,” he said. “With this now, I think it is also an opportunity for the South-East to consolidate our position and make a very strong case for this to be resolved politically.”

The governor called on regional stakeholders—traditional rulers, political leaders, civil society groups, and religious figures—to unite behind the push for a political settlement.

He warned that inaction or disunity would weaken the case for Kanu’s release.

“First of all, we need to accept the concept that this is the right thing to do,” Mbah emphasised. “Then, the details of implementation will be worked out… It’s not something you can possibly outline now, but it’s for us to even accept the concept that this is the way to move forward.”

Kanu has been detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021, following his controversial extradition from Kenya.

His continued incarceration has sparked protests, sit-at-home orders in the South-East, and condemnation from human rights groups.

Earlier this year, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar described Kanu’s detention as “an open sore on our nation’s conscience” and urged the federal government to seek a peaceful resolution.

Governor Mbah’s latest remarks mark a bold shift in the conversation, bringing a high-ranking APC state leader into alignment with popular regional sentiment for Kanu’s release.

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The Federal Government has not officially responded to Mbah’s comments. However, observers note that with Mbah’s defection to the APC and increased calls from political elites, momentum may be building toward a political compromise.