Archbishop Raphael Opoko of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Umuahia Archdiocese, has declared that the continued detention of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu reflects Nigeria’s deep-rooted injustice towards the Igbo people.
Speaking to Vanguard, Archbishop Opoko emphasized that Kanu’s stance on Biafra should not be viewed as rebellion, but rather as a legitimate call for equal rights or self-determination through a referendum.
“When Nnamdi Kanu talked about Biafra, what I understood was this: ‘If you can’t give Ndigbo equal access and opportunity in this country, then allow a referendum so they can determine their fate.’ That’s not rebellion, that’s a demand for justice,” the Archbishop stated.
He warned that systematic oppression breeds resistance, noting that suppressing the voice of a marginalized group only pushes them toward stronger action.
Archbishop Opoko called for an urgent national reflection on the treatment of the Igbo people and urged authorities to engage in dialogue rather than punishment, stressing that Kanu’s request represents a peaceful plea for fairness, not an insurrection.
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