The South-East Traditional Rulers Council has renewed its call for the unconditional release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, expressing concern that previous appeals to the Federal Government have not produced the desired outcome.
The demand was contained in a communiqué issued after the council’s quarterly delegates’ meeting held on October 23, 2026, at the Parliament of Ndi Eze in Owerri, Imo State.
The traditional rulers reiterated their position that Kanu should be released, renewing pressure on the Federal Government to address the matter.
Beyond Kanu’s detention, the council called for its chairmanship to rotate to Abia State, with Eze Sir Dr Linus Nto Mbah expected to assume the position in line with the council’s constitution.
The monarchs also urged eligible voters across the South-East to participate actively in forthcoming elections, despite concerns that the scheduled dates could create difficulties for voters in the region. They appealed to traditional rulers and community leaders to suspend festivals and ceremonies during the election period to encourage voter participation.
On regional traditional leadership, the council reaffirmed its support for rotating the chairmanship of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council among the South-East, South-West and South-South geopolitical zones for two-year terms. It rejected arrangements that would give one zone permanent control of the position.
The renewed appeal highlights the continued importance of Kanu’s detention in discussions involving traditional institutions and political stakeholders in the South-East. However, the council’s demand does not itself determine the legal outcome of his case.
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