‘Is One Nigeria a Myth?’ — Aloy Ejimakor Cites Jonathan, Awolowo to Defend Nnamdi Kanu’s Freedom

ABUJA — The legal battle for the release of the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has taken a historical and philosophical turn. His lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, has argued that questioning the unity of Nigeria is a legitimate political discourse shared even by the nation’s founding fathers and past presidents.

In a provocative statement released on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, Ejimakor pointed to recent public comments by former President Goodluck Jonathan, who reportedly questioned the practical reality of “One Nigeria” in its current structural form.

The ‘Founding Fathers’ Precedent

Ejimakor argued that the agitation for self-determination should not be criminalised, especially when the same concerns were raised by the architects of the Nigerian state.

• Historical Reference: He cited Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who famously described Nigeria as a “mere geographical expression,” and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, who once remarked that Nigerian unity was only a British intention.
• The Legal Argument: “Even former President Jonathan has publicly questioned the notion of ONE NIGERIA,” Ejimakor stated. “He also cited Awolowo & Balewa who also did the same. That said, do you now understand why no person (not even Mazi Nnamdi Kanu or any Igbo) deserves to be imprisoned for this?”

A Nation in Constitutional Crisis

Ejimakor’s intervention arrives at a time of extreme tension regarding Nigeria’s federal structure:

• The ‘Rigging’ Anxiety: The National Assembly is currently besieged by protesters, led by Mr. Peter Obi, over the Senate’s rejection of mandatory electronic result transmission. Many see the “mutilation” of electoral laws as a sign that the “One Nigeria” project is being managed through force rather than consent.
• The ‘Regime Security’ Warning: Former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai recently warned that the government is prioritising “Regime Security” over the type of national cohesion that would make Kanu’s agitation irrelevant.

The Malami Factor and Selective Justice

The demand for Kanu’s release is being further fueled by the ongoing terrorism financing trial of former AGF Abubakar Malami.

• Extraordinary Rendition: Kanu’s legal team has consistently maintained that Malami was the primary architect of the 2021 illegal abduction of Kanu from Kenya.
• Hypocrisy Allegations: “If the man who kidnapped Kanu is now being tried for shielding terrorists, then the entire basis of Kanu’s detention has collapsed,” a supporter at the Abuja High Court remarked.

Economic Hardship as a Separating Force

While the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, describes US airstrikes as a ‘blessing’ in Washington, the reality on the ground is stark. With petrol prices nearing ₦1,000 per litre and the national debt at ₦152 trillion, Ejimakor suggests that the “suffering” is forcing every ethnic group to question their place in the union.

The recent demolition of a ₦100 million orphanage in Lagos and the massacre of 300 Christians in 72 hours have only added to the narrative that the state is “abandoning its people,” as claimed by British vlogger Indigo Traveller.

Status of the Case

As of Wednesday evening, the Federal High Court remains the battleground for Kanu’s liberty. Ejimakor’s strategy appears to be a direct appeal to the “conscience of the court” to recognize that political speech, no matter how uncomfortable, is protected by the same constitution the founding fathers were “unsure about.”