Nnamdi Kanu Case: A National Project That Transcends Far Beyond Family Dynamics

Nnamdi Kanu Case: A National Project That Transcends Far Beyond Family Dynamics

The Supreme leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is currently facing serious legal challenge in Nigeria.

 Confronted with a monumental difficulty of obtaining justice from a judicial system that is manipulated by the Executives arm, Kanu has been illegally detained in the facility of Nigerian secret police (DSS) since 2021, and battling terrible health conditions without access to proper medication.

This amounts to why it is necessary to explicate the nature of his case and why careful measures are necessary, as to guarantee the safety of the IPOB Leader. 

First, it is noteworthy that though Nnamdi Kanu was born in the shortlived sovereign state of Biafra, he was trained in Nigeria until he became a full adult. And, there exists no record of differences or law wrecking between himself or family and the government of Nigeria. The government's enmity towards Nnamdi Kanu began since when he unbribably vowed to embark on the journey of emancipation for the decades-long oppressed people of Biafra.

This decision of Kanu is what led to his first arrest in 2015 and charge of treasonable felony. When he got a bail in 2017, he walked freely on the streets of Biafraland (Eastern Nigeria), told Nigeria that he was coming back on the next scheduled court date to win them in their own court. 

The statement broke hell loose and his country home in Afara-ukwu Ibeku was invaded by Nigerian Military in a mission to eliminate him, but he was narrowly whisked to safety and over 28 of his supporters were gruesomely murdered in the incident. 

Then, his kidnap at Kenya and criminal rendition into Nigeria in 2021, and his continued illegal detention, even after several court pronouncements primarily the Appellate Court judgement, that declared him guiltless. 

These and more are of course why Kanu's case obviously extends far beyond the confines of a family dispute. It is an national cum international matter by the quest for Self-determination, which as a plausible consequence of prompts the presence of the global IPOB movement, in over one-hundred nations of the World, has captured the attention of the global community with its case for the recognition of their rights as the Indigenous People Of Biafra even before Nigeria was amalgamated in 1914 by colonial Britain.

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu's case is totally about his demand for the fundamental right to self-determination of the Biafran people, as enshrined in the United Nations charter.

Nigeria is clearly persecuting him for insisting that Biafrans be allowed the right to this universal values that transcend borders and are enshrined in international laws. Equally, Nigeria's continual infringement on these rights amount to breaking of international laws that protect the rights of indigenous people. And these shall eventually be resolved by the global community through a political process, between Nigeria and Biafra, not for Nigeria and the Kanu's family.

This is why Nigeria government's fear of the IPOB worldwide movement is evident in its handling of Kanu's case. The government perceives IPOB as a significant threat to its authority and stability. This fear has led to drastic measures; including the recruitment of criminals, agent provocateurs with the order to commit crimes, then get the media and military to tag them on IPOB. All geared towards distorting the world view of IPOB, because the government understands that the people they have this battle with are IPOB, not the Kanu Family. 

Unfortunately, the seemingly usurper involvement of Kanu's family in his case has raised concerns, and threatens his safety and well-being, considering how Nigeria government have shown willingness to use any means necessary to suppress dissent, including targeting family members of perceived dissident as willing tools. While it is understandable that his family would want to support him, their involvement should be outrightly healthy and not to the extent that could inadvertently put him at greater risk.  

To protect Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the Biafra struggle, it is crucial for his family to stay out of the spotlight and stop meddling in pivotal affairs of national importance. And this has been the position of his dear wife, Uchechi Okwu Kanu whom for the past three years has haunted by the misery and pains of one not having her spouse handy to discharge his respective role as a significant and irreplaceable figure of the family, Yet she remained disciplined and understood the factors required by a struggle as delicate as the Biafra one, championed by the IPOB movement led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, her husband.

This is not to say that they should abandon whatever necessary roles they can play in the process, but rather, it means that they should work in tandem with IPOB global movement. The IPOB movement has declared a vote of no confidence on the Nigerian Judiciary, as its consequently become an extension of the Federal government and judging by recent developments, it appears that even the family who hijacked the case to prove a point are coming to same realization – there will be no justice as far as Nigeria Judiciary is concern.

In conclusion, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu's case is not a family matter, it is a national issue that requires careful considerations and actions. The potency of Nigeria government's fear of the IPOB worldwide movement should not be underestimated or ridiculed for personal grudges, and all efforts must be made to maintain this strength of IPOB and ensure Kanu's safety and well-being. That essentially is his strategic deterrence against any form of sinister antics orchestrated against him.

His family's role in this process is welcomed and for the most part welcomed but not irreplaceably. They must play their respective and expected role which by implications must be in the best interest of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the national Biafra cause he spearheads, and give way for the necessary bodies - the IPOB leadership, her structure and chain of command - to do their designated/constituted Job and get the Biafra Leader released.

 Even though, they were not aware of the ordeal in Kenya that brought him to the current situation of undue incarceration. It has however become their cross to bear and the Biafra populace expects them to deliver against all odds. 

Family Writers Press International