Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has distanced himself from separatist movements in the South-East, asserting that the region’s growth and prosperity depend on its continued unity within the Nigerian federation.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday, the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor emphasized that while he supports peaceful dialogue and respects citizens’ right to protest, he does not share the secessionist views of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
“We’ve made it very clear that if you are protesting or agitating for anything, you’re only holding yourself down by killing your own people under the pretext of the Monday sit-at-home,” Soludo said.
He noted that the controversial order had largely faded in Anambra, attributing the decline to improved security and increased public enlightenment. “Anybody sitting at home now is doing so by choice, not out of fear. Mondays are now peaceful and safe,” he added.
Soludo acknowledged that even Kanu and the IPOB leadership had publicly denounced the sit-at-home order, blaming criminal groups for exploiting the movement to perpetrate violence. “Even Nnamdi Kanu himself and his IPOB have said they do not support the Monday sit-at-home. It was criminal elements behind it — and we thank them for clarifying that,” he said.
While reaffirming his respect for democratic freedoms, the governor stressed that his responsibility lies in governance, not activism. “As for those who are agitating or demonstrating, they have the right to do so. In a democracy, everyone has freedom of expression. But mine is to govern. While activists do their work, I will focus on mine,” he stated.
Soludo also revealed that he had advised Ohanaeze Ndigbo and other Igbo leaders to engage Kanu in dialogue upon his release, insisting that the region’s future should be determined collectively rather than dictated by a single individual. “I said, why not ask Nnamdi Kanu to sit down with everyone else? Nobody has more right than another. We are all Igbos, and we all have our views,” he said.
Reiterating his belief in a united Nigeria, Soludo declared that the Igbo people stand to gain more from integration than isolation. “I believe the Igbo man needs Nigeria, and Nigeria needs the Igbo man. We are an itinerant people who cannot afford to be intolerant. That’s my conviction,” he said.
He described Nigeria’s diversity as divinely ordained and urged the South-East to embrace cooperation and inclusion. “Do we need Nigeria? Absolutely! And Nigeria needs us. I hold this belief deeply and without apology. I’m ready to debate anyone on the future prosperity of the Igbos within a united Nigeria,” Soludo asserted.
His comments come as the nationwide campaign tagged #FreeNnamdiKanuNow gathers momentum, backed by several opposition leaders including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and activist Omoyele Sowore, who have announced plans for a peaceful demonstration in Abuja on October 20.
