Bianca Ojukwu voices optimism about President Tinubu facilitating the release of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, emphasizing the need for dialogue and reconciliation.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has voiced her confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to secure the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
At the 13th anniversary memorial for her late husband, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, in Owerri on Tuesday, Ambassador Ojukwu stressed that releasing Kanu is crucial for promoting peace and stability in the Southeast.
She emphasized that resolving the root grievances and rebuilding trust between the government and regional citizens is essential for achieving national unity.
Ojukwu urged stakeholders to back dialogue and reconciliation initiatives designed to address the issues impacting the Southeast.
She expressed her belief that President Tinubu recognizes the significance of releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, noting that such an action would not only resolve ongoing grievances but also reveal the criminal elements who have taken advantage of his detention to carry out atrocities in the region.
In her speech on the theme “Unifying the Igbo Race,” Bianca Ojukwu urged an end to the violence affecting the Southeast, highlighting that it is not typical for the Igbo people to inflict harm upon themselves. She emphasized a collective effort to reclaim their region from criminal activities and insecurity.
She stated, “Releasing Nnamdi Kanu is crucial for distinguishing true freedom fighters from those causing chaos in the Southeast. Our community faces existential threats, and we must take action to restore peace.”
She expressed sorrow that, even years after Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu’s passing, the Southeast has turned into a region plagued by violence and insecurity, causing many people to abandon their homes.
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“Communities are deserted, as our esteemed sons and daughters have left. Kidnappers now seize their siblings for ransom. This is not the vision Dim Ojukwu fought for,” she stated.
Request for the Release of Nnamdi Kanu
Bianca Ojukwu emphasized the importance of President Tinubu releasing Nnamdi Kanu, claiming that his release would aid in identifying criminals who are using IPOB as a cover to cause chaos.
“President Tinubu recognizes the significance of Kanu’s release, as it will reveal those responsible for the violence and contribute to restoring order. I am committed to doing everything possible to ensure that His Excellency approves this request,” she declared.
She also criticized the enforcement of violent “sit-at-home” orders in the Southeast, stating that they contradict the principles of self-determination and have hindered economic activities in the area.
The Igbo people are known for their entrepreneurship and strong sense of community. We must reclaim our land and continue to uphold the principles championed by Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
Bianca Ojukwu’s appeal contributes to the increasing demand for Nnamdi Kanu’s release as a strategy to tackle insecurity and promote unity in the Southeast.
