The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, has expressed that the tension in the South-Eastern part of the country could be resolved if the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, is released.
Recently, there has been a development in the case of Nnamdplppppi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). A few days ago, Kanu’s fundamental rights enforcement suit, which he filed to address alleged inhuman treatment in detention by the Department of State Security Services, was dismissed by the court.
This dismissal has come under scrutiny, and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, has linked Kanu’s release to the potential resolution of tension in the South-Eastern region of the country.
According to the spokesperson for Ohanaeze, Alex Ogbonnia, the prolonged detention of Nnamdi Kanu has been a significant factor contributing to the ongoing agitation in the South-Eastern region of the country. Ogbonnia asserts that this situation reflects the broader issue of social injustice faced by the region.
The organisation believes that releasing Kanu could be a step towards addressing the grievances and tensions in the area, as it may help in fostering a more inclusive and equitable approach to resolving the underlying issues.
He said, “We have been consistent on the release of Nnamdi Kanu. We believe that the problem of what happened to Nnamdi Kanu has contributed to the agitation. What is happening in the South-East now is the manifestation of the social injustices meted on the South-East.
“Nnamdi Kanu issue will require a diplomatic political solution and not matter of charging him to court, leaving him in prison or being incarcerated; rather such will lead to more clamouring and affects the situation.
When asked if the tension in the South-East would come to an end if Kanu is released, he said “If he (Kanu) is released, at least the likes of Simon Ekpa would not have anything else to say again. No person can use Nnamdi Kanu as an excuse to cause mayhem in the country.”
Recall that Kanu has been in detention for over two years while the region had remained under threat by gunmen identified as members of the IPOB group led by Simon Ekpa.
Ekpa, who recently announced that there will be a two-week sit-at-home in the South East, issued the directives from Lahti in Finland.
