A traditional ruler from the South-East has called on Bola Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu or return him to Kenya, warning that his continued detention is increasing agitation among youths in the region.
The appeal was made by Dr Lawrence Agubuzu, the Eze Ogbunechendo of Ezema Olo Kingdom, during the 2026 National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit on Health held in Abuja. He urged the President to take decisive action, stating that unresolved issues surrounding Kanu’s case were hindering national unity and progress.
Agubuzu also expressed concerns about growing unrest in the South-East, noting that traditional rulers were facing criticism from young people who feel unheard. He insisted that if Kanu is not to remain in Nigeria, he should be returned to where he was arrested.
Kanu, a British-Nigerian activist and founder of the proscribed IPOB, was first arrested in 2015. After fleeing the country in 2017, he was re-arrested in 2021 and brought back to Nigeria. Following a series of legal battles, the Supreme Court ruled in 2023 that he should stand trial, and in November 2025, he was sentenced to life imprisonment on terrorism-related charges.
The summit, focused on strengthening healthcare reforms, also featured goodwill messages from global partners and a renewed commitment by traditional and religious leaders to support improved healthcare delivery across the country.
