PDP’s Iroegbu faults Tinubu over Nnamdi Kanu’s detention

DDM News

Nnamdi Iroegbu, a senior member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has criticized the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for allegedly sidelining the Southeast region.

In an interview monitored by Diaspora Digital Media (DDM), Iroegbu accused the federal government of deliberate neglect and marginalization of southeastern Nigerians.

Speaking during a live broadcast on Arise News, Iroegbu expressed outrage over what he termed the political and economic exclusion of the Southeast since Tinubu assumed power.

He said the region has received minimal federal attention, with no concrete infrastructural or policy benefits under the current leadership.

Iroegbu pointed to the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as a symbol of the administration’s indifference toward the Southeast.

According to him, Kanu’s prolonged incarceration despite widespread appeals is deepening grievances and fueling unrest across the region.

He noted that for months, communities in the Southeast have repeatedly called for Kanu’s release as a critical step toward stabilizing the region.

The political leader stressed that Kanu’s case is no longer just a legal issue but one requiring a bold political solution.

He argued that a negotiated release or dialogue could help ease tensions and create space for national reconciliation.

Iroegbu said the federal government’s failure to act has contributed to continued insecurity, weekly sit-at-home orders, and economic paralysis in the Southeast.

He described the government’s approach as lacking empathy and political foresight.

Responding to Minister of Works Dave Umahi’s claim that the Southeast has endorsed President Tinubu, Iroegbu firmly disagreed.

He said Umahi’s statement does not reflect the prevailing sentiments in the region.

Iroegbu insisted that the majority of southeasterners feel disconnected from the current government.

He warned that assuming Southeast support for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign would be a political miscalculation.

The PDP stalwart described the growing alienation in the region as a threat to national unity.

He called on the federal government to reassess its stance and initiate genuine engagement with aggrieved regions.

Iroegbu urged the administration to move beyond rhetoric and take meaningful steps toward inclusivity and justice.

The issue of Nnamdi Kanu’s detention has remained one of Nigeria’s most polarizing subjects since his re-arrest in June 2021.

Kanu was seized in a controversial international operation and returned to Nigeria to face trial on charges including treason and incitement.

His supporters argue that he is being politically persecuted for championing the cause of Biafran self-determination.

The IPOB movement, although proscribed by the Nigerian government, continues to attract sympathy across the Southeast.

Frequent lockdowns imposed in protest of Kanu’s detention have disrupted economic activity and heightened insecurity in the region.

Human rights organizations have repeatedly urged the federal government to consider a non-combative solution.

Observers believe that resolving the Kanu matter could significantly reduce unrest and restore investor confidence in the Southeast.

However, the government maintains that Kanu must face justice for his alleged crimes.

This hardline stance has been criticized for failing to de-escalate tensions or offer a path toward healing and dialogue.

As 2027 approaches, analysts warn that neglecting the Southeast could weaken Tinubu’s electoral prospects.

Many in the region feel abandoned by successive governments and are increasingly demanding political inclusion and respect.

Iroegbu’s statements reflect a broader sense of frustration among southeastern leaders and citizens alike.

Calls for justice, development, and fair representation have grown louder amid the region’s perceived marginalization.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) will continue monitoring developments surrounding Nnamdi Kanu’s case and the federal government’s response.

The question remains: will the Tinubu administration heed the call for dialogue, or will it allow discontent to deepen further?

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook