The recent appointment of Bianca Ojukwu as Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs has sparked debate, with many seeing it as a positive signal for the potential release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and a step toward reconciling longstanding tensions in the Southeast. Stakeholders and political analysts suggest that President Bola Tinubu’s decision could pave the way for improved relations between Nigeria and the Southeast and may signal an openness to Kanu’s release.
Katchi Ononuju, Director-General of the Heritage Centre think tank, noted that Ojukwu’s appointment reflects Tinubu’s strategy to foster national unity. “The President understands now that what brought him to office was a political party, and he’s now working on an attempt to heal the country,” Ononuju explained, cautioning that “while appointing Bianca is symbolic, it needs to be followed by genuine action to support true reconciliation.”
However, Ononuju minimized Ojukwu’s direct influence on Kanu’s situation, emphasizing that Kanu’s release hinges on government policy rather than individual advocacy. He pointed out that precedent exists for negotiated releases, as seen with activists like Asari Dokubo. “A political solution for Kanu requires government commitment and has little to do with Bianca,” he said, urging the government to focus on “doing the right thing.”
Aloy Ejimakor, Kanu’s lead counsel, highlighted Ojukwu’s unique position to advise Tinubu on the international implications of Kanu’s continued detention. Ejimakor argued that Ojukwu could leverage her influence to advocate for Kanu’s release, as she has previously called for in public forums. “As Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, she can now advise the President on the negative impact of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s detention on Nigeria’s image globally,” he said.
Madubuachi Idam, an activist lawyer, commended Tinubu’s move, calling it “strategic” and a potential boost for the administration’s reputation in the Southeast. “Bianca’s appointment, alongside the release of Mr. Kanu, would significantly enhance Tinubu’s image in the Southeast,” Idam said. He encouraged the President to build on this appointment by addressing other critical governance areas, such as replacing ineffective ministers with qualified technocrats.
In addition, experts are urging Tinubu to distance his administration from former President Buhari’s approach, which many believe worsened Southeast tensions. Political analysts argue that allowing for Kanu’s release and embracing inclusivity would better serve Nigeria’s long-term unity.
