U.S.-Based Advocacy Group Cautions Kalu Against Politicising Kanu’s Case.

A United States–based advocacy organisation, The Rising Sun Group, has issued a warning to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, urging him to stop making what it called “reckless, misleading and politically motivated” statements about the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

In a statement released to journalists on Wednesday and signed by Chairman Maxwell Dede and Coordinator Father Augustine Odeinmegwa, the group criticised Kalu’s recent appearance on Channels Television, describing it as “disgraceful.”

The Rising Sun Group expressed concern over Kalu’s claim that more than 30,000 people had died as a result of IPOB-related agitation and his defence of Justice James Omotosho, whose judgement against Kanu has generated widespread condemnation.

Kalu made the claim days earlier while speaking about killings he attributed to IPOB activities.

His remark was made less than a week after the Federal High Court in Abuja convicted Kanu and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

The group noted, “Instead of keeping quiet if he had nothing useful to say, Senator Kalu chose to attack Nnamdi Kanu over his angry reaction to the clear injustice inflicted on him by Justice Omotosho.”

It also accused the former Abia Governor of trying to distort history by implying he played a key role in securing Kanu’s 2017 release.

“As if that were not enough, Senator Kalu went on to make wild claims about his supposed involvement in securing Kanu’s release in 2017,” the group stated.

“He equally disparaged the Igbo and all those who expressed disappointment over the judgement, which can only be described as a travesty of justice.”

According to the Rising Sun Group, Kalu’s conduct came as no surprise, insisting it reflects a long-standing concern.

“Although we are angered by such reckless comments, we are not surprised because a leopard can never change the colour of its skin,” the statement read.

“Senator Kalu has now confirmed the long-held suspicion that he is among the Igbo elite willing to play any role driven by political interest.”

The group criticised Kalu for comparing his own corruption trial to Kanu’s ongoing legal ordeal.

“It is an insult to Ndigbo for Senator Kalu to shamelessly reference his calmness during his trial for financial fraud, in contrast to Nnamdi Kanu’s alleged conduct in court,” it said.

“There is no connection between the offence for which he was convicted and jailed and the trumped-up charges, biased trial, and questionable conviction of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”

The group further accused the Senator of seeking political relevance by attempting to use Kanu’s situation to win the favour of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.

“What Ndigbo will not tolerate from Orji Uzor Kalu is any attempt to use Kanu’s plight to curry favour from the Presidency,” it warned.

“He is only clever by half to think he can engage in reckless remarks and unfounded attacks on the IPOB leader just to gain Tinubu’s support, possibly for a return ticket in 2027.”

The statement recalled that Kalu had openly opposed Tinubu’s 2023 presidential bid, emphasising that Nigerians are not fooled by his recent political posture.

“It is well known that Orji Uzor Kalu was among those who vigorously opposed Tinubu’s presidential ambition in 2023 when he openly supported Senate President Ahmed Lawan,” the group said.

“Nigerians are not as daft as Senator Kalu assumes. They already understand the motive behind his sudden affection for President Tinubu.”

The group challenged Kalu to explain his claim regarding 30,000 deaths linked to IPOB agitation.

“Since Orji Uzor Kalu alleges that over 30,000 people were killed in the South East as a result of Nnamdi Kanu’s agitation, can he explain who authorised these killings?” it asked.

“Was he referring to the massacre of IPOB members praying in Nkpor and Onitsha, those praying at National High School Aba, or the Biafra agitators killed in Port Harcourt during a pro-Trump rally?”

The Rising Sun Group accused the Senator of ignoring what it described as documented incidents of IPOB members being killed by security agencies.

“How could Orji Uzor Kalu reasonably blame IPOB members, who are victims of brutality from security operatives, for crimes they did not commit?” it queried.

The group urged Kalu, whom it described as a “serial political opportunist,” to desist from further “unguarded and treacherous remarks” about Kanu’s case.

“We warn Orji Uzor Kalu and his fellow political opportunists to desist from making further reckless and treacherous comments about Kanu’s ordeal,” the statement emphasised.

“History will judge anyone who betrays his people for selfish gains,” it concluded.