The leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has called on the Federal Government to free detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, arguing that justice must be applied fairly in matters involving national security.
Ayodele made the appeal during a sermon to members of his church, warning that perceived double standards in the treatment of public figures could deepen public distrust in government institutions.
Speaking in a video that circulated online on Saturday, the cleric questioned why Kanu remains in detention while Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Gumi continues to move freely despite controversies surrounding his engagements with armed groups in the past.
According to him, fairness and consistency are essential if the government hopes to convince Nigerians that its actions are driven solely by the rule of law rather than selective considerations.
“The authorities should review Kanu’s case and act in a way that reflects equal justice. If one individual is considered a security concern, then the same principles should be applied across the board,” Ayodele said.
Furthermore, the cleric argued that treating similar cases differently could create the impression of bias and weaken public confidence in the country’s judicial and security processes.
He stressed that Nigerians are increasingly paying attention to how sensitive cases are handled and expect transparency from those in positions of authority.
Ayodele also expressed concern over the growing mood in the country, saying economic hardship and unresolved political grievances have left many citizens frustrated.
“The government must listen to the concerns of the people. Ignoring public sentiment could lead to more protests and wider expressions of dissatisfaction,” he said.
Moreover, he cautioned that unless urgent attention is given to issues affecting ordinary Nigerians, public anger could translate into increased demonstrations against the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The cleric urged authorities to embrace dialogue, fairness and justice in addressing contentious national matters, maintaining that such an approach would help strengthen unity and reduce tensions across the country.