PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: A former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has lambasted Lagos-based APC stalwart, Hon. Joe Igbokwe, over his recent comments urging President Bola Tinubu not to drop terrorism charges against the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
In a strongly worded statement on Monday, Eze described Igbokwe as “a demented saboteur and habitual betrayer of the Igbo race,” accusing him of consistently undermining efforts toward the unity, peace, and progress of the Southeast.
“It is with total disappointment that I address the reckless and foolish actions of Joe Igbokwe, whose deliberate acts of betrayal have continued to threaten the stability and advancement of the Igbo nation,” Eze said. “His scathing remarks against Nnamdi Kanu are not only irresponsible but a direct affront to the collective aspirations of our people.”
The APC chieftain criticized Igbokwe’s alleged insensitivity to the plight of Kanu, who has been in detention for years despite mounting calls for his release. Eze questioned Igbokwe’s motives, describing his stance as an attempt to “seek cheap political relevance in Lagos at the expense of his own people.”
Eze also challenged Igbokwe to explain the crime Nnamdi Kanu committed to justify his prolonged incarceration, noting that other regional agitators such as Sunday Igboho had been treated with leniency and accorded respect.
“Is Kanu’s agitation different from those of others who demanded justice for their regions? Why is he being singled out for persecution?” Eze queried. “The Federal Government continues to dialogue with terrorists and bandits, yet an unarmed agitator is being denied his fundamental rights and medical access.”
He condemned what he described as the marginalization of the Southeast under the current administration, pointing to the “lopsided” ministerial appointments that favour other regions. “Today, a state in the South-West has four ministers, while the entire Southeast has just two substantive ministers and three ministers of state. Yet, people like Igbokwe remain silent in exchange for crumbs,” he stated.
Eze, a member of the APC Legacy Media Team, commended notable figures who have spoken against what he termed “injustice and persecution” of the Igbo people, including Omoyele Sowore, Dele Momodu, Atiku Abubakar, Rev. Father Mbaka, Governor Alex Otti, and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.
He expressed full support for the planned one-million-man march aimed at pressuring President Tinubu’s administration to release Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally but urged that the protest remain peaceful and non-violent.
“We must remain peaceful and vigilant,” Eze cautioned. “There are plans by some elements to infiltrate the protest and create chaos in order to discredit supporters of Kanu.”
Eze concluded by quoting the former Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, describing Kanu as “a man whose conviction goes beyond comfort, and whose sacrifice will be remembered by history.”
