By Our Correspondent
The belief that imprisoning Nnamdi Kanu will automatically bring an end to the agitation for Biafra reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of political movements in Nigeria, according to activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore. His remarks challenge the assumption, reportedly shared by some political leaders, that the continued detention of the IPOB leader is enough to resolve unrest in the Southeast.
Sowore argues that the agitation for Biafra is larger than any single individual. Although Nnamdi Kanu has become the most prominent figure associated with the movement in recent years, the demand for self-determination existed long before his emergence.
The agitation is driven by deep-seated grievances, including perceived political marginalization, economic neglect, persistent insecurity, and declining trust in federal institutions.
According to Sowore, concentrating primarily on Kanu’s incarceration addresses only the surface of a much deeper problem.
He suggests that an overreliance on arrests and prolonged detention allows the government to avoid confronting the underlying structural and governance issues that continue to fuel separatist sentiments. Past experiences in Nigeria and other parts of the world indicate that repression rarely eliminates dissent and may instead cause it to evolve in new and more complex forms.
Sowore further notes that Kanu’s continued detention has, in some quarters, reinforced feelings of injustice and persecution. For many supporters of the Biafra cause, his imprisonment has become a symbol of the broader grievances they believe the region faces, rather than a deterrent to their demands.
He concludes that a sustainable solution requires a change in approach. Meaningful dialogue, political inclusion, and reforms aimed at addressing long-standing complaints are, in his view, more likely to reduce tensions than detention alone.
Until the root causes of the agitation are confronted, Sowore warns that the call for self-determination will remain, regardless of who is behind bars.
