There are indications that the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, may affect the conduct of the 2023 general elections in the Southeast.

Deji Adeyanju, an Abuja-based rights activist, said Kanu’s release may affect the momentum of the 2023 elections in the Southeast.

Recall that an Appeal Court in Abuja had ordered Kanu’s release after discharging and acquitting him of all terrorism charges.

Following the ruling, there has been mixed reactions that Kanu’s release and continued detention may affect the 2023 elections in the Southeast.

However, Adeyanju said Kanu might never order his followers to vote or support any politician if released.

Speaking with DAILY POST, Adeyanju said: “His continued incarceration might not affect the 2023 general election except if he has access to social media in detention which is most unlikely.

“However, I think it’s Nnamdi Kanu’s release that is likely to tilt the election the other way. If he is released, I think the political momentum in the Southeast will douse down, and it will be counterproductive to Obi.

“That is why you can see that Obi’s supporters did not celebrate when the Court of Appeal ruled that he should be released.

“They saw that he would spoil their momentum if he is released, and you can understand that politically speaking; because Kanu will not likely not ask people to vote or support a politician.

“We all know his stance over the affairs of Nigeria, but that is not to say that even from prison, if he begins to issue certain directives to his followers, most of them would not comply.”