A former Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi, has described embattled secessionist leaders, Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho, as more popular than all politicians put together in their respective regions.
Kanu is the leader of pro-Biafra group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Both Igboho and Kanu had agitated for Nigeria’s break-up and both are currently languishing in detention. Kanu is being detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) in Nigeria while Igboho is being detained in Benin Republic after his arrest in the West African country as he was trying to flee to Germany.
However, according to Obi, a former Governor of Anambra State, Igboho and Kanu were made popular by their messages because of the dearth of hope for the Nigerian populace.
Obi said this at an event titled, “National Security Challenge: Youths neglect?” held in Abuja.
“In the South-West, Sunday Igboho is far more popular than all the politicians put together.
“In the South-East, Nnamdi Kanu is far more popular than all the politicians put together.
Obi noted that the agitation for the breakup of Nigeria was fuelled by lack of hope, saying “what drives people to live in a country is hope”.
Meanwhile, the trial of Kanu continues at the Federal High Court, Abuja on Thursday, October 21.