A coalition of pan-Igbo self-determination groups has called on Igbo traditional rulers in the South-East to abandon silence and act decisively against perceived marginalization of the Igbo community in Nigeria.
In a joint statement on Friday, the American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID), Ambassadors for Self-Determination, and Rising Sun Foundation urged courage over “cowardice” as a means to safeguard Igboland.
The statement followed remarks by an Enugu State traditional ruler, Dr. Lawrence Agubuzu, the Eze Ogbunechendo of Ezema Olo Kingdom, who publicly demanded the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, or his return to Kenya, where he was abducted before extradition to Nigeria in 2021.
Agubuzu made the appeal during the 2026 National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit on Health at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, on February 17. He told President Bola Tinubu, “Bring this man out. If we don’t want him in Nigeria, return him to Kenya or London where they took him from…We cannot make progress in this country if we don’t tell ourselves the truth.”
The self-determination groups commended Agubuzu for his stance and urged other Igbo monarchs to follow suit. They highlighted HRM Eze Agubuzu and HRM Eze Chukwuemeka Eri as the only traditional rulers publicly addressing the detention of Kanu.
The statement criticized the silence of other Igbo rulers, including the Obi of Onitsha and Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, describing it as complicity and a betrayal of their people. It stressed that traditional titles carry no value if leaders fail to protect the rights and dignity of their subjects.
The groups concluded by calling on all Igbo leaders to speak with one voice for Kanu, warning that history would judge those who remain silent. “The era of self-serving silence is over. AlaIgbo demands justice, leadership, and courage—now,” the statement said.
