Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has made it clear that he does not identify with separatist movements, even as calls intensify for the release of Indigenous People of Biafra leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday, the former Central Bank of Nigeria governor reiterated that the South-East’s development and prosperity depend on its continued unity with Nigeria.
Soludo explained that although he supports dialogue and peaceful means of agitation, he does not subscribe to Kanu’s vision of secession for the Igbo nation.
“We’ve made it very clear that if you are protesting or agitating for anything, you are holding yourself down by killing your own people under the pretext of Monday’s sit-at-home,” he stated.
The governor said the once-enforced sit-at-home directive has lost its grip on Anambra residents. “Anybody sitting at home now is doing so out of his own preference, not because of insecurity, as it were, because everywhere is secure on Mondays,” he added.
According to Soludo, even Kanu and IPOB have publicly denounced the sit-at-home order, attributing its enforcement to criminal groups who exploit it to terrorise the public.
“Even Nnamdi Kanu himself and his IPOB are on record to have said they did not support the Monday sit-at-home; it was some criminal elements doing that. And we thank them for their work,” he noted.
While affirming the right to peaceful protest, Soludo emphasized that his duty as governor is to lead, not to join activism.
“As for those who are agitating or going to have demonstrations, they have a right to do so. In a democracy, everybody has freedom of expression. But mine is to govern. While social activists do their job, I will do my own,” he said.
Soludo also revealed that he had earlier advised Ohanaeze Ndigbo and other South-East leaders to engage Kanu in dialogue once he is released, arguing that no individual holds exclusive authority over the region’s direction.
“I said, why don’t they tell Nnamdi Kanu to come and sit with everybody else, because nobody has a greater right than the other? We are all Igbos, and we are all entitled to our views,” he remarked.
Firmly rejecting any push for secession, Soludo reaffirmed his conviction that Nigeria’s unity remains vital for mutual progress.
“I am of the view that the Igbo man needs Nigeria and Nigeria needs the Igbo man. The Igbo man needs Africa, and Africa needs the Igbo man. We are an itinerant people who cannot afford to be intolerant. That’s my view,” he stated.
He added that Nigeria’s unity is part of a divine design that must be preserved. “Do we need Nigeria? Absolutely! And Nigeria needs us. That is my very deep belief. I canvass it with no apologies and hold on to that. I’m prepared to debate this with anyone on the future prosperity of the Igbos,” Soludo asserted.
His comments follow growing national appeals for Kanu’s release, championed by political figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and activist Omoyele Sowore, who are rallying support for a peaceful #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest scheduled for October 20 in Abuja.
While Obi and others stress dialogue and justice as the keys to reconciliation, Soludo’s message underscores a different approach, anchored on unity, coexistence, and building a “livable and prosperous homeland” within a more equitable Nigerian federation.
