In a swift and measured response to the sentencing of IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment, the Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has issued a poignant call for peace, urging Ndigbo and all Nigerians to exercise restraint.
Writing shortly after her return from an official engagement in Zanzibar, Tanzania, the Minister acknowledged the gravity of the court’s decision on November 20, 2025, describing it as an outcome “we neither anticipated nor prayed for.” However, her statement was not one of despair but of statesmanlike counsel, prioritizing national stability and the long-term interests of the South-East region.
A Call for Restraint and Wisdom
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu, a figure deeply respected within the Igbo community and beyond, addressed the palpable tension directly.
“There comes a time in the history of a people when there is a need for calm,” she wrote. “I therefore advise Ndigbo, and Nigerians as a whole, that such a period is now! There is an utmost need to exercise restraint in response to this situation.”
Her advisory warned against reactionary measures, stating clearly that “incendiary” actions—whether at home or in the diaspora—would be counterproductive. “Beating the drums of fury and sabre rattling will only generate diminishing returns, and in the worst case scenario, yet another wasteland,” she cautioned, invoking a powerful image of the potential costs of unrest.
The Path Forward: Dialogue Over Conflict
Rather than confrontation, the Minister advocated for a unified, strategic political approach. She called for a broad coalition of Igbo leadership—including Governors, Senators, traditional rulers, clergy, and business leaders—to engage collectively with the federal government.
“The most effective path toward resolution of this crisis is dialogue,” she asserted. Her statement outlined a vision for the “mutual coexistence of Ndigbo in Nigeria with justice, equity and dignity,” framing this goal as a collective responsibility that requires peace and order to achieve.
Reassurance and Leadership
Commending her bold stance, political analysts have noted that Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s intervention is a crucial stabilizing force. By publicly confirming her ongoing behind-the-scenes mediation efforts, she offered a lifeline of hope to those distraught by the verdict.
“I would like to reassure Ndigbo, Nigerians, and our foreign partners that there are still prospects of resolving this impasse in a manner that reduces national anxiety and societal trauma,” she stated.
Her closing charge was a direct appeal for unity in Ala Igbo (Igboland): “Now is the time for us all in Ala Igbo to put all hands on deck… to seek a political resolution to this matter.”
In delivering this message, the Ambassador has once again demonstrated the courage to speak difficult truths, prioritizing the safety and future of her people over populist sentiment. Her call for constructive engagement serves as a critical roadmap for de-escalating tension and seeking a political solution that ensures justice and security for all Nigerians.
