A coalition of concerned Igbo religious leaders has issued a strongly worded public opinion statement accusing the Nigerian government and some Igbo political leaders of distorting the history surrounding the Indigenous People of Biafra and the Eastern Security Network (ESN), while calling for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu.
The statement, signed by Rev. Tony Uzor Anthony on behalf of the coalition, said the group comprises bishops, pastors, priests, and custodians of Igbo traditional spirituality.
In the statement, the coalition drew comparisons between the handling of the 1967 Aburi Accord and what it described as the current treatment of IPOB and ESN.
According to the religious leaders, the same pattern of distorting defensive initiatives and blaming the victims that allegedly undermined the Aburi Accord is now being repeated in the Southeast.
The coalition argued that ESN was established in response to worsening insecurity in the region following the proscription of IPOB in 2017 and the deployment of military operations across the South-East.
They maintained that the security outfit emerged primarily to protect local communities from attacks by armed herders and bandits.
The religious leaders also questioned the basis for IPOB’s proscription in 2017, alleging that no specific criminal act committed by Kanu or the organization had been clearly established before the decision was taken.
The coalition further criticized some South-East governors, accusing them of allowing political rivalry and personal interests to influence decisions that escalated tensions in the region.
According to the statement, both ESN and Nnamdi Kanu have since been unfairly blamed for insecurity in the South-East, while those responsible for policies that allegedly triggered military intervention have largely avoided scrutiny.
The group also raised concerns over the legal foundation of Kanu’s conviction delivered on November 20, 2025, arguing that significant questions surrounding jurisdiction, due process, and fair hearing remain unresolved.
Describing Kanu as a prisoner of conscience, the coalition called on Nigerians, international observers, and the global community to support his immediate and unconditional release.
They argued that Kanu’s release is essential for restoring peace, rebuilding trust, and creating room for meaningful dialogue on Nigeria’s future.
The coalition also urged Igbo communities to reject what it described as propaganda against ESN, resist internal divisions, and embrace unity in pursuit of justice and collective progress.
It called for renewed commitment to the principles behind the Aburi Accord, emphasizing restructuring as the preferred solution, while maintaining that self-determination remains a legitimate option if restructuring proves impossible.
The statement concluded with prayers for wisdom, justice, and peace, while expressing hope for Kanu’s release and the restoration of stability in the region.
The statement was issued by the Coalition of Concerned Igbo Religious Leaders, representing Christian, traditional, and interfaith groups across Alaigbo, and signed by Rev. Tony Uzor Anthony.
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