Nnamdi Kanu’s Family Addresses Alleged Deal with Seyi Tinubu

The family of Nnamdi Kanu speaks out on allegations of a secret deal with Seyi Tinubu, clarifying their stance on the claims.

Nnamdi Kanu’s family, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has expressed profound disappointment with President Bola Tinubu. They allege that he failed to honor an agreement supposedly made through his son, Seyi Tinubu, prior to the 2023 general elections.

In a statement, Emmanuel Kanu, the younger brother of Kanu, claimed that Seyi Tinubu met with him in Abuja prior to the election, allegedly with his father’s approval.

The alleged agreement indicated that IPOB would refrain from boycotting the election in return for Kanu’s release, should Bola Tinubu assume the presidency.

Prince Emmanuel pointed out that almost two years into Tinubu’s presidency, Kanu is still detained despite legal decisions supporting his release. This includes an Appeal Court order for his freedom and the recusal of Justice Binta Nyako from the case.

He conveyed his frustration about what he termed a lack of honor, stating, “It’s disappointing that those who profess to be men of integrity have not upheld their promises.”

The statement outlined the purported meeting: “Prior to the last election, I got a message from a former governor indicating that Seyi Tinubu wished to meet with me. I consented under the condition that our conversation would center around my brother’s release. The meeting took place in Abuja and was attended by another person whom I brought for independent verification.”

Seyi assured me that his father approved the meeting and confirmed that any agreements made would be binding. Trusting this information, I relayed it to my brother, who reiterated IPOB’s position of not interfering with elections.

During his campaign, candidate Tinubu visited Owerri and publicly reaffirmed his commitment to facilitating my brother’s release. We viewed this statement as an endorsement of our agreement. In response, IPOB made sure there was no election boycott or civil disobedience, demonstrating its dedication to democratic principles.

Emmanuel criticized the extended detention of Kanu, emphasizing that there are no charges against him at present and accusing Nigerian courts of employing “technicalities” to delay the case.

He stated, “The reality is that Nigerian courts do not have the authority to try him. His detention lacks any legal foundation under both Nigerian and international law.”

He ended by expressing that it is “a shame” that the promises made by those in authority have not been fulfilled.