Prominent Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, widely known as Sunday Igboho, has called on the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to prioritize dialogue with the Federal Government as a means to address his ongoing legal and political challenges.
In a statement released on Friday and signed by his lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, Igboho commended Kanu for his decision to officially suspend the Monday sit-at-home order, a civil disobedience measure that had affected the South-East for the past five years. Igboho described this decision as a critical step toward restoring peace and economic stability in the region.
The statement read, “Chief Sunday Adeyemo commends Mazi Nnamdi Kanu for cancelling the Monday sit-at-home across the South-East zone, a move that has significant implications for regional stability. Chief Igboho views this action as thoughtful and necessary.”
Beyond acknowledging the suspension of the sit-at-home, Igboho encouraged Kanu to engage in constructive dialogue with the Federal Government to resolve the deadlock surrounding his detention. He expressed optimism that President Bola Tinubu’s administration would be open to discussions conducted in good faith.
“While Mazi Kanu has the right to advocate for self-determination, Chief Igboho believes that the current administration is willing to negotiate toward mutual understanding, peace, security, and the recognition that the South-East deserves,” the statement added.
Igboho also addressed the negative impact of violence and unrest in the South-East, warning those who profit from such instability to desist, highlighting the importance of fostering economic recovery and peace in the region.
“This call extends to all individuals and groups benefiting from the destruction and disruption in the South-East. They are urged to stop such actions in the interest of the region’s and the nation’s prosperity,” the statement emphasized.
Sunday Igboho’s intervention signals growing support for peaceful resolution and dialogue between influential ethnic activists, reinforcing a unified approach to regional stability.
The Monday sit-at-home order had been initially imposed in August 2021 in response to Kanu’s rendition to Nigeria and subsequent incarceration. During its enforcement, schools, offices, banks, and markets remained closed.
Nnamdi Kanu was convicted of terrorism-related offenses on November 20, 2025, and sentenced to life imprisonment, a ruling his family rejected and vowed to appeal. Following the conviction, he was transferred to the Sokoto Correctional Centre, as the court deemed the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja unsuitable for him.
