ABUJA, Nigeria – Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, has announced its willingness to sign an indemnity agreement with the Federal Government for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, lauded the recent call by the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee for the unconditional release of Kanu.
The committee had identified the continued detention of Kanu as an obstacle to resolving security challenges in the region, particularly in the Isiukwuato/Umunnochi federal constituency of Abia State.
Chairman of the Ad-hoc committee, Obinna Aguocha, on Friday, August 25, 2023, pointed out that achieving security in the South East necessitates government’s adherence to the rule of law and inclusion of the zone in the broader Nigeria project.
“Realising that the incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu is something that Ohanaeze has been talking about, so there is nothing that will delight Iwuanyanwu much more than releasing Nnamdi Kanu,” Dr. Ogbonnia said.
Ogbonnia further noted that Ohanaeze is ready to guarantee Kanu’s conduct upon release.
“Political solution will solve the problem. Continuous incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu does not help matters because it helps to create tension in the South East and increase the insecurity in the region,” he stated.
The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, hailed the Ad-hoc committee’s stance as a “clarion call.” President General of COSEYL, Comrade Goodluck Ibem, emphasized that Kanu’s release could defuse tensions that have empowered criminal elements in the region.
“We urge President Bola Tinubu to heed this passionate call of wisdom and release Nnamdi Kanu from DSS custody,” said Ibem.
Prominent Nigerians have increasingly advocated for Kanu’s release.
Bianca Ojukwu, wife of the late Igbo leader Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, pointed out that Kanu had already been declared free by a competent Nigerian court.
Speaking at an event in Dallas, Texas, Ojukwu criticized the “nonchalant attitude” of Igbo leaders in the past regarding Kanu’s detention, saying it contributed to escalating tensions in the South East.
As Nigeria grapples with complex security challenges, the ongoing debate around Kanu’s detention remains a flashpoint for national discourse.
With the newest call for his release backed by influential organizations, the stage is set for reevaluating policies affecting the South East and, by extension, the country.
