Diplomat and former Nigerian ambassador, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has urged Ndigbo and Nigerians to remain calm following the conviction and sentencing of IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, on terrorism charges by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In a statement issued on Friday, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said she returned from a five-day monitoring mission in Zanzibar, Tanzania, to the “sad news” of Kanu’s sentencing — a development she noted was neither expected nor desired by many.
“This is not the outcome we anticipated, nor prayed for, but a reality that is now upon us,” she said.
Calling for restraint, she warned that any actions capable of inciting violence at home or abroad should be avoided.
“There comes a time in the history of a people when there is need for calm. I therefore advise Ndigbo, and Nigerians as a whole, that such a period is now,” she stated.
“All actions which could be deemed incendiary, and which might escalate the situation at home or in the diaspora should be curtailed. A word is enough for the wise.”
Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasized that the situation demanded careful reflection and constructive engagement, urging Igbo leaders across political, religious, and traditional institutions to work collectively in seeking a peaceful solution.
“This situation requires careful reflection and constructive dialogue involving all Igbo stakeholders — governors, senators, members of the House of Representatives, clergy, traditional rulers, politicians and business people — to engage with government authorities collectively,” she noted.
“Beating the drums of fury and sabre rattling will only generate diminishing returns, and in the worst case scenario, yet another wasteland.”
She insisted that dialogue remains the most viable path to resolving tensions, stressing that the pursuit of justice, equity, and dignity for Ndigbo within Nigeria must be anchored on peace and order.
The former ambassador reassured both citizens and international partners that a political resolution was still possible.
“There are still prospects of resolving this impasse in a manner that reduces national anxiety and societal trauma. I oblige everyone to remain calm and patient,” she said.
“Now is the time for us all in Ala Igbo to put all hands on deck and have a joint engagement involving all the South Eastern states to seek a political resolution to this matter.”
Nnamdi Kanu was sentenced on Thursday after being convicted on seven terrorism-related charges, a ruling that has drawn widespread reactions across the South-East and beyond.
