Aloy Ejimakor, Special Counsel to Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, has called for the release of people he described as prisoners of conscience ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

Ejimakor made the demand while arguing that the continued imprisonment of Kanu and other alleged IPOB members for their separatist position could further deepen political and social divisions in the country.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the lawyer said the Nigerian government should address the grievances driving calls for Biafra rather than relying on prosecution and imprisonment.

He maintained that advocating for self-determination, regardless of how controversial or forceful the expression may be, should not automatically amount to terrorism or treason.

According to Ejimakor, democratic societies should have room for political opinions that are unpopular or challenging to the existing order.

He warned that punishing people for expressing separatist aspirations could create greater resentment and make efforts at national reconciliation more difficult.

The lawyer also pointed to examples of countries and territories where demands for self-determination had resulted in political processes, including referendums.

Ejimakor argued that Nigeria should similarly consider political engagement and dialogue as a way of addressing the Biafra question.

He further criticised what he described as the criminalisation of political dissent, saying the government should focus on resolving the grievances behind the agitation.

The lawyer consequently urged the Federal Government to consider freeing what he called prisoners of conscience before the 2027 elections, arguing that dialogue and a political settlement would offer a more sustainable path to peace.

Nigeria’s top food and drug regulator has linked the widespread availability of pocket-sized alcohol directly to violent crime and a mounting public health crisis.

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2027: Tinubu May Get Less Than 10% of Northern Votes — Ard

President Bola Tinubu could suffer a dramatic collapse in his Northern support in the 2027 presidential election, securing less than 10 per cent of votes from the region if the poll is free and credible, Convener of the League of Northern Democrats and key promoter of the All-Democratic Alliance (ADA), Dr Umar Ardo, has predicted.

Ardo made the prediction on Monday in an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, arguing that the outcome would largely reflect how Northern voters assess the Tinubu administration’s performance.

He identified insecurity, worsening poverty, economic hardship and the rising cost of living as major issues likely to influence voting decisions in the region.

According to him, the persistent insecurity affecting communities, farmers, traders and businesses remains one of the administration’s biggest challenges.

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“You can solve the issue of insecurity and insurgency in one year,” he said, insisting that the Federal Government could significantly reduce the crisis with the right strategy and sufficient political will.

Ardo also faulted the administration’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, questioning whether ordinary Nigerians had experienced corresponding benefits.

“Subsidy removal, is it a benefit?” he asked, arguing that the reforms had eroded purchasing power and made basic necessities increasingly unaffordable.

He said the impact had been particularly severe in Northern Nigeria, where a large proportion of the population is economically vulnerable.

“The economic reform has pushed from the state of poverty to destitution,” he said.

The political commentator also raised concerns about political representation under the Tinubu administration, arguing that the composition of government could shape public perception of its commitment to different regions.

Ardo said Northern voters should not be assumed to be permanently aligned with the voting pattern recorded in 2023, stressing that prevailing economic and security conditions would determine their choices in 2027.

“If a free, fair and credible election is conducted in Nigeria, Tinubu can’t get 10 percent of the Northern part,” he declared.

His prediction puts the spotlight on the opposition’s capacity to exploit any erosion of Tinubu’s Northern support, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other opposition figures potentially positioned to benefit from any major electoral realignment.

2027: Tinubu May Get Less Than 10% of Northern Votes — Ard