South-East leaders and governors have reiterated their call for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, imprisoned leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to reduce the security challenges in the region.
They said the continuous incarceration of Mr Kanu, even after a court of competent jurisdiction had freed him, had worsened the security situation in the zone.
The leaders made the call during the 2023 Igbo Day Celebration, organised by the Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide and hosted by Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State on Friday in Enugu.
The event, which was chaired by Prince Arthur Eze, the Chief Executive Officer of Atlas Oranto Petroleum Limited, had many prominent Igbo sons and daughters from the five southeast states, including Rivers and Delta States, in attendance.
Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the President General of Ohaneze Worldwide, said most of the killings in the zone are blamed on the non-release of Mr Kanu from detention.
He said Ohanaeze Ndigbo had carefully reviewed Mr Kanu’s case and could not find any just reason why he could not be released.
The president general said Ohaneze had for several months pleaded with the federal government to release him.
“I hereby once again, on behalf of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, appeal to the FG to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, more so when a court of competent jurisdiction in Nigeria has declared him innocent.
“As the president general of Ohaneze Ndigbo, I consider myself a father, and it pains me so much when my children are killed on a daily basis.
It pains me when most of them have both their lives and livelihoods destroyed. I will strongly appeal to the FG in view of the fact that over the past two years, the situation has persisted. We need to adopt a non-kinetic approach,” he said.
He added that he strongly believed that if Mr Kanu was released and a non-kinetic approach was adopted, the unnecessary killings and destruction of lives and property would be reduced and even stopped.
Mr Iwuanyanwu, who described the Igbo Day celebration as an important event for all Igbos, said the event was the beginning of a turnaround for southeast development and transformation.
In an opening remark, Arthur Eze said it had become necessary for the leadership of Ohanaeze to positively engage the FG for the release of Mr Kanu, whose reported health condition attracts huge sympathy.
He explained that Igbos had made some cases relating to marginalisation in the past, and while some of the cases may have had merit, “I am of the view that long-lasting results can be achieved through roundtable discussions, strong undivided leadership, and an organised political structure”.
“Based on this, no number of meetings with the FG or political consultations on the matter will be too many.