Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the esteemed Igbo socio-cultural organization, reiterates its unwavering demand for the immediate release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
This call comes in response to recent media reports suggesting that the governor of Imo state advised President Bola Tinubu to delay Kanu’s release until after the upcoming governorship election later this month.
In a statement released on Thursday, Ohanaeze Ndigbo urges President Bola Tinubu to disregard any opposition and take decisive action to secure the freedom of Nnamdi Kanu without further delay.
Previously, Ohanaeze Ndigbo had appealed to President Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu immediately following the freedom granted to Sunday Igboho in the Republic of Benin.
The organization reveals that it has been inundated with calls and pressure from Igbos both within Nigeria and abroad, urging its intervention to secure the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu.
In light of the overwhelming concerns and heightened tensions that have engulfed the Southeast region, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has succumbed to pressure and is now urging President Bola Tinubu to release the IPOB leader promptly. Isiguzoro has volunteered to stand as a guarantor and surety for Nnamdi Kanu’s release, assuring that it will not in any way affect the outcome of the Imo State Governorship elections.
While a thorough investigation is currently underway regarding the news surrounding Governor Uzodinma, Ohanaeze Ndigbo emphasizes that President Tinubu must prioritize granting Nnamdi Kanu his freedom without delay. The continued detention of Kanu only serves to exacerbate tensions and unrest in the region.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo firmly believes that the release of Nnamdi Kanu is a crucial step towards restoring peace, unity, and justice in the Southeast. The organization calls upon President Tinubu to exhibit strong leadership and honor his promise to release Nnamdi Kanu, thereby soothing the anxieties of our people and diffusing the current state of heightened tensions.
In this urgent appeal for the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu, Ohanaeze Ndigbo implores all well-meaning Nigerians, both within the country and abroad, to stand alongside them. The time has come for justice, compassion, and the preservation of the fundamental rights of our people.