U.S. Advocacy Group Accuses Orji Kalu of Politicising Kanu’s Case, Questions His Sudden Alignment With Tinubu
A United States–based advocacy organisation, The Rising Sun Group, has cautioned Senator Orji Uzor Kalu against what it described as “reckless, misleading and politically motivated” commentary on the detention and trial of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
In a statement released on Wednesday and signed by Chairman Maxwell Dede and Coordinator Father Augustine Odeinmegwa, the group condemned Kalu’s recent appearance on Channels Television, labelling his remarks “disgraceful” and an attempt to distort facts surrounding Kanu’s case.
The organisation expressed alarm over Kalu’s claim that more than 30,000 people had died due to IPOB-related agitation, as well as his defence of Justice James Omotosho, whose judgement against Kanu has attracted widespread criticism. Kalu made the remarks days after the Federal High Court in Abuja convicted Kanu and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
According to the group, rather than remain silent if he had nothing constructive to contribute, Kalu chose to “lambast” Kanu over his reaction to what they described as “barefaced injustice.”
The Rising Sun Group also accused the former Abia governor of attempting to rewrite history by suggesting he played a decisive role in securing Kanu’s release in 2017, dismissing the claim as false and self-serving.
They further faulted Kalu for what they characterised as disparaging comments about the Igbo and those concerned about the court’s controversial ruling. The group said his conduct only affirmed long-standing beliefs about his political motivations.
“Senator Kalu has confirmed the long-held suspicion that he is among the Igbo elite willing to play any role for political interest,” the statement read.
The organisation criticised Kalu’s comparison of his corruption trial to Kanu’s case, calling it an “insult on Ndigbo,” and insisting the two matters bear no resemblance—one involving financial fraud and the other, what they termed politically driven charges.
The group alleged that Kalu’s recent posture was driven by a desire to ingratiate himself with President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections, warning that “Ndigbo will not accept any attempt to use Kanu’s matter to curry favour from the Presidency.”
They recalled that Kalu openly opposed Tinubu’s 2023 presidential bid, asserting that the Senator’s sudden shift in support is politically expedient rather than sincere.
The Rising Sun Group also challenged Kalu to substantiate his assertion of 30,000 deaths linked to IPOB agitation, questioning who authorised such killings and whether the senator was referring to documented incidents where IPOB members were victims of security crackdowns in Nkpor, Onitsha, Aba, and Port Harcourt.
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They accused Kalu of ignoring the plight of IPOB members allegedly killed by security agencies, describing them as “hapless victims of brutality.”
The statement ends with a warning to Kalu and “fellow political opportunists” to desist from making “unguarded and treacherous remarks” about Kanu’s case, stressing that “history will judge anyone who betrays his people for selfish gains.”
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