South-East monarchs renew demand for Nnamdi Kanu’s release

The South-East Traditional Rulers Council renewed its call for the unconditional release of detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, saying earlier appeals to the federal government had not achieved the desired outcome. At a meeting in Owerri on October 23, 2026, the monarchs also called for the council’s chairmanship to rotate to Abia State under its constitution, with Eze Linus Nto Mbah taking the post. They urged eligible voters to turn out in large numbers and called for festivals to be suspended during the election period. The council also backed a two-year rotating chairmanship of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council among the South-East, South-West and South-South zones.