The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Azuta Mbata, has urged the Federal Government to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, describing his continued incarceration as a collective pain shared by the Igbo people.

Mbata made the appeal on Thursday during the group’s Imeobi/General Assembly meeting in Enugu, where he addressed issues of unity, development and the future of the South-East.

He said Kanu’s detention transcends an individual matter, reflecting the broader emotional and political realities of the region.

“I told the Federal Government that Nnamdi Kanu, who is in jail, is the entire Igboland that is there. There is no Igbo man that is happy that Kanu is in incarceration. Let our people stop deceiving the Federal Government,” Mbata said.

He added, “We are calling on the government of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release Kanu. This is the minimal demand of Ndigbo.”

The Ohanaeze leader also called for unity among Igbo leaders and stakeholders, warning that internal divisions could undermine the region’s political and economic aspirations.

According to him, the assembly underscored the resilience and shared commitment of the Igbo people to progress, urging stakeholders to set aside political, economic and social differences in pursuit of a common goal.

“We must set aside any differences that may divide us and unite under the banner of progress and prosperity for our people. Our strength lies in our ability to forge a common purpose,” he said.

On governance, Mbata charged leaders in the region to demonstrate courage and accountability in addressing contemporary challenges.

He also expressed support for ongoing discussions on additional state creation, describing it as a welcome development receiving deserved attention.

Mbata further emphasised the importance of cultural preservation, urging families and institutions to promote the Igbo language, while commending members of the diaspora for projecting the region positively abroad.