The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has given the Federal Government 14 days to ensure that Nnamdi Kanu’s pending appeal is listed and heard, saying it may mobilise for a boycott of the 2027 general election if its demand is not addressed.
IPOB’s Head of Directorate of State, Mazi Chris Nwaogu, issued the ultimatum in a video broadcast on Monday amid renewed concerns over the delay in Kanu’s appeal against his conviction and life sentence.
Nwaogu accused the Federal Government of failing to take steps to move the appeal forward, alleging that it had not filed its respondent’s brief or taken action to have the matter listed before the Court of Appeal.
He said IPOB would consider mobilising for an election boycott across the South-East and other areas it identifies as Biafraland if the appeal was not listed within 14 days.
The development followed recent concerns from Kanu’s family over the progress of his case. The family said Kanu had written to the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the President of the Court of Appeal, requesting that his pending matters be listed for hearing.
Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Federal High Court in Abuja in November 2025 after being convicted on terrorism-related charges. He subsequently filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in February 2026, asking the appellate court to overturn his conviction and sentences.
His lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, had earlier said the appeal was progressing through the normal appellate procedure after the notice of appeal was filed and the record of proceedings transmitted. He explained that the process involves the filing and exchange of written briefs before the matter is heard.
IPOB, however, has expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of the proceedings and has continued to demand what it considers urgent judicial action in Kanu’s case.
Nwaogu also criticised the Supreme Court’s earlier decision that overturned Kanu’s discharge and acquittal by the Court of Appeal and returned the matter for further proceedings. He argued that the apex court exceeded its powers in dealing with certain counts in the case.
Those claims represent IPOB’s position and remain subject to the interpretation of the relevant court judgments and applicable law.
The proposed election boycott would affect the 2027 general election if IPOB ultimately proceeds with the threat. The group has not said that a boycott has already been adopted, but rather that it would consider the move if the appeal remains unlisted after the 14-day period.
The Federal Government had not publicly responded to the latest ultimatum at the time of this report.
Kanu’s case remains a highly sensitive political and legal issue, particularly in the South-East, where his detention and prosecution have continued to generate debate and calls for a resolution.
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