In an exclusive interview on Viable TV from 20:18, Senator Victor Umeh addressed the recent conviction of Nnamdi Kanu, emphasizing that the federal government’s handling of the IPOB crisis has been deeply flawed.
According to Umeh, “His sentencing to life imprisonment, I will tell you, does not sit well with 98% of Igbo people,” reflecting widespread disappointment and frustration in the Southeast. He argued that the judgment failed to address the underlying grievances of the Igbo population, including marginalization, exclusion from national leadership, and inadequate infrastructure development in the region.
Umeh recounted the early stages of IPOB’s emergence in 2016, when the group held peaceful demonstrations that were met with military force, resulting in the loss of lives. He condemned the government’s decision to use violent tactics instead of dialogue, saying that this approach escalated tensions and deepened distrust between the federal authorities and Southeast youths.
The senator further detailed his own efforts to mediate the crisis. He described meetings with security officials, appeals to the Attorney General, and interventions alongside Southeast senators and traditional leaders, all aimed at finding a political resolution. According to him, these efforts were largely ignored, leading to a prolonged conflict.
Umeh compared the situation with past government strategies in the Niger Delta and Northeast, where dialogue and amnesty programs helped resolve unrest. He stressed that a similar conciliatory approach could have prevented the crisis from escalating and preserved peace in the Southeast.
He concluded by urging the government to recognize the sentiments of the Igbo people, adopt policies that restore trust, and engage constructively with leaders and communities in the region. Umeh warned that without such steps, the Southeast may continue to experience unrest and insecurity, even with Kanu’s imprisonment. View, More,
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