The prominent Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has made an appeal to Northern leaders and former militant leader Asari Dokubo, urging them to forgive and work towards the release of pro-Biafra agitator Nnamdi Kanu.
This appeal comes in response to Kanu’s recent pronouncement that he would not beg the Federal Government or President Bola Tinubu for his release. He also mentioned that it would be disrespectful to the memory of Pa Mbazulike Amaechi, who passed away in 2022 at the age of 91, if he were to beg for his release.
A delegation of Igbo elders had previously requested the release of Nnamdi Kanu after the Appeal Court ordered his release. However, Ohanaeze Ndigbo believes that there are ongoing efforts by Northern leaders and Asari Dokubo to exert pressure on the Federal Government, urging them not to comply with the request for Kanu’s release.
In a statement issued by Ohanaeze’s factional Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the organization expressed its support for Kanu’s stance and urged people to refrain from begging for his release.
Isiguzoro emphasized that the pronouncement of the Appeal Court regarding Kanu’s release should be upheld, and he urged the Supreme Court to set a date for the hearing of the government’s appeal against Kanu’s release.
The organization also called on the Federal Government to uphold the rule of law and release Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally. Kanu has been in detention for several years without compliance with court orders.
The statement further elaborated on Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s historical involvement in seeking Kanu’s release, noting that in the past, the organization had engaged in diplomatic efforts and sought support from critical stakeholders, including Northern leaders and prominent Nigerians.
However, the current situation is deemed more challenging due to the need for diplomatic engagement and pacification of some individuals who were previously critical of Kanu’s broadcasts. The statement highlighted that the ongoing violent sit-at-home protests have not yielded the desired outcome, prompting a shift in tactics for securing Kanu’s release.
