A South-East monarch, Eze Lawrence Agubuzu, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to release detained Nnamdi Kanu or send him back to Kenya, where he was arrested. He made the request during a national summit held at the State House Abuja, warning that tension in the South-East is rising.

Agubuzu said the continued detention of the Indigenous People of Biafra leader is fueling youth agitation and mistrust toward traditional rulers. According to him, many young people accuse monarchs of staying silent, creating pressure and hostility within communities across the region.

The monarch also questioned the legitimacy of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council, insisting it does not represent all southern traditional institutions. He argued that resources meant for the region should be shared directly with authentic local royal authorities rather than through umbrella groups he considers unrepresentative.

Responding, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi dismissed claims of division, describing the council as voluntary but strong. He said southern monarchs remain united and collaborative, stressing that participation is optional and does not signal disunity among traditional rulers.