Release Nnamdi Kanu, Ohanaeze implores FG on Igbo Day

Ohanaeze Ndigbo WorldWide, the leading sociocultural organisation of the Igbo people, has once more urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to free Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

This appeal was made by Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, President General of Ohanaeze, on Friday at the 2023 Igbo Day Celebration in Michael Okpara Square in Enugu.

Iwuanyanwu claimed that the basis for his appeal was the fact that Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, or IPOB, had been cleared by the Appeal Court of all charges brought against him.

He declared, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo has carefully examined Nnamdi Kanu’s situation and we have been unable to see any justification for his detention.

“Ohanaeze has appealed with the federal authorities to free him for a number of months.

“I hereby appeal to the federal government once more on behalf of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide to free Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, particularly in light of the fact that courts of competent jurisdictions in Nigeria have found him innocent.”

He condemned the recent wave of indiscriminate killings occurring in Igbo land, which he claimed were connected to the federal government’s ongoing detention of Kanu.

“As the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, I consider myself a father, and I am deeply saddened by the daily deaths of my children.

“I find it painful that the majority of them have their lives and means of support shattered. I’ll make a plea to the federal government to adopt a non-kinetic strategy in light of the fact that this scenario has endured for more than two years.

“I firmly believe that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release and the adoption of a non-kinetic approach will enable us to reduce and even end the needless killings and destruction of lives and property,” he stated.

The event’s chairman, Chief Arthur Eze, a well-known philanthropist and businessman, asked the governors of South Eastern Nigeria to devote more time and effort to create the favourable environment required for commerce to flourish in the region.

In the South-East, he also encouraged the federal government to address a number of erosion-related problems and damaged federal roads.

“I take this opportunity to urge the federal government to deal with the numerous erosion threats and damaged federal roads in Southeast,” he added.

I implore Bola Ahmed Tinubu, His Excellency, to include more Igbos in his administration.