Residents in Abia State have reacted sharply to the life imprisonment sentence handed to IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, warning that the decision could further entrench the Monday sit-at-home protests across the Southeast.
Many locals who spoke to THE WHISTLER criticised the judgment, arguing that Kanu’s case should be addressed through political dialogue rather than prolonged legal battles. They also accused the Nigerian government of using the justice system to target the Igbo population.
Emeka Chigbu described the ruling as unjust, insisting that Kanu’s agitation stemmed from genuine grievances in the region.
“The approach is wrong. This matter requires a political solution, not the courts,” he said.
“A young man highlighting the marginalisation of the Southeast is given life imprisonment, while bandits and terrorists negotiate with government. How is that justice?”
Chigbu also questioned the government’s priorities, pointing to what he called clear double standards.
“Bandits have been rehabilitated and reintegrated, yet Nnamdi Kanu—who never fired a shot—is jailed for life,” he said, warning that the sentence may heighten anger and prolong the weekly sit-at-home protests.
Another resident, Oko Steve, said the ruling marked a “Black Thursday” for the Igbo nation.
“This is a travesty of justice. It shows the Nigerian state is not fair to Ndi Igbo,” he said.
Steve compared the sentence with the recent five-year jail term given to a former Boko Haram commander, calling the disparity alarming.
“What does that say? It shows clear bias,” he added.
Both residents urged the federal government to adopt a conciliatory approach, release Kanu, and work to resolve longstanding complaints of marginalisation in the Southeast.
The ruling has triggered widespread outrage across Igbo communities, with many calling for a re-evaluation of the government’s handling of Kanu’s case and the broader grievances fueling agitation in the region.
