President Bola Tinubu was on Tuesday confronted with a passionate appeal from a South-East traditional ruler who insisted that national reconciliation would remain elusive while the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, remains in custody.
The monarch, Lawrence Agubuzu, Eze Ogbunechendo of Ezema Olo Kingdom in Enugu State, made the remarks at the 2026 National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit on Health held at the State House, Abuja, where Tinubu attended as Special Guest of Honour.
Addressing the President during the segment for remarks by traditional rulers, Agubuzu said the continued incarceration of Kanu was heightening tension across the South-East and fuelling youth agitation.
“I must tell you, Mr President, that personally, I don’t feel very happy,” he said, adding that the security and political climate in the region had grown increasingly tense.
Referencing earlier calls for unity at the summit — including remarks by the Ooni of Ife — the monarch questioned the message of cohesion when, according to him, perceived double standards persist.
“I listened to the opening address by His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife and he was urging all of us to work as a family, work as a team and to see Nigeria as one.
“I said this is good, but when you look at it, this same imperial majesty is arranging to confer a very high honour on Sunday Igboho, who in my own part of Nigeria; the South East, we see him as a counterpart of Nnamdi Kanu.
“And my brother and fellow royal father, doesn’t seem to see the pain in my heart, when Nnamdi Kanu is in Sokoto.”
The reference was to Yoruba nation activist Sunday Igboho.
Agubuzu directly urged the President to act decisively on Kanu’s case.
“The ball stops in your court. Bring this man out. If we don’t want him in Nigeria, return him to Kenya or London, where they took him from,” he said.
He further revealed that traditional rulers in the South-East were facing mounting hostility from youths who accused them of silence or complicity.
“Some of us here are being asked to go and work, but the young people in the South-East are so agitated they can even beat us. They see us as sellouts. We come to Abuja — they may think we’ve come to collect money and then keep quiet. So Sir, do something about it,” he appealed.
Dispute Over Southern Traditional Rulers Council
The Enugu monarch also challenged the structure of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council, arguing that it does not adequately represent the diverse traditional institutions in the region.
“If you want to deal with us, deal with us in the South-East. If you have resources for us, give it to us. Don’t give it to people who come and say they represent a traditional rulers council,” he said, insisting that “there is nothing like a Southern Traditional Rulers Council” speaking for the entire South.
However, the Ooni of Ife, Enitan Ogunwusi, dismissed suggestions of disunity, describing the council as voluntary but influential.
“You don’t need to join us if you don’t want to, but it is a force — a formidable force — among traditional institutions,” he said, maintaining that there was no division among southern monarchs.
Similarly, the Eze Aro IX, Eberechukwu Oji, who identified himself as the Publicity Secretary of the council, said the body was inaugurated in Oyo State and has remained active, holding its annual general meeting in Ogun State and undertaking joint initiatives.
Health Summit Focus
The summit, convened by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, brought together traditional and religious leaders nationwide to endorse ongoing health sector reforms.
In her keynote address, the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, urged traditional and religious leaders to support the National Community Food Bank Programme, which she said would be rolled out nationwide in April. She formally flagged off the programme.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, described the gathering as the first comprehensive engagement with traditional and religious leaders since the commencement of health sector reforms over two years ago.
