Public Affairs Commentator and Advocate for Justice, Chijioke Nwachukwu, has fired shots at and warned the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, against using Nnamdi Kanu as a political bargaining chip.
Nwachukwu gave the warning in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday following comments made by the Works Minister, described as “deeply offensive and politically misguided”.
“It has come to our attention through various news outlets, particularly a report published by Daily Post Nigeria on 5th July 2025, that the Minister of Works, Mr. Dave Umahi, has made a deeply offensive and politically misguided statement to the effect that the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu should not be tied to political support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
“Let it be stated in unequivocal terms: Dave Umahi does not speak for Ndigbo. He speaks only for himself and the selfish collection of political opportunists that have, for decades, traded the blood, dignity, and future of their own people for personal advancement and crumbs from Aso Rock,” the statement reads.
Nwachukwu went on to say, the issue of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s continued illegal detention is not a matter for political negotiations or electoral permutations.
“It is a matter of justice, law, and fundamental human rights. The Court of Appeal of Nigeria, in October 2022, clearly discharged and acquitted Kanu of all charges and declared his extraordinary rendition from Kenya as unlawful.
“The Kenyan High Court, in a landmark judgment on 24th June 2025, affirmed that Kanu’s abduction, torture, and illegal transfer to Nigeria violated international law and the African Charter. A Federal High Court of Nigeria held same.
“That a Nigerian minister would still speak as though Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s fate is negotiable is not only a disgrace—it is a betrayal,” he stated.
Nwachukwu added: “For Dave Umahi to suggest that the political support of Ndigbo in 2027 is in any way conditional on Kanu’s release reveals either an unforgivable ignorance of public sentiment in the South East or a wilful attempt to whitewash the grave injustice done to the Igbo people.
“Tinubu and APC will face the consequences of the lengthy detention of Kanu without trial and for ignoring court orders that mandated his release”.
Continuing, he stated: “Let it be known: Dave Umahi cannot convene a genuine gathering of Igbo sons and daughters without facing total rejection. If he believes otherwise, let him dare to organize a town hall in Enugu, Aba, or Onitsha and see how many people show up voluntarily.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu commands a following rooted in the deep-seated grievance of a people marginalized, violated, and silenced by a dishonest federation. To compare or reduce him to a political bargaining chip is an insult to the collective pain and resilience of Ndigbo and Biafrans all over the world. Dave Umahi and his ilk are inconsequential Abuja rent boys and they will be shocked come 2027.
“The likes of Dave Umahi, who change allegiance depending on who occupies Aso Rock, are not leaders. They are errand boys. If Satan were to assume the presidency tomorrow, these men would be the first to praise him so long as it secures them a ministerial portfolio.
“This moment calls for courage, not cowardice; honour, not servility. Kanu’s release is not a gift to be given in exchange for votes. It is a legal, moral, and constitutional obligation.
“The sooner people like Dave Umahi realize that the Igbo nation is no longer beholden to the politics of crumbs, the better for their own fading relevance. Ndigbo are watching. The world is watching. And history will not be kind to traitors”.