Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has called on traditional rulers pleading for his pardon from the Federal Government in order to return for his mother’s burial to desist from such pursuit, saying that he did not solicit their assistance.
He made the call on the heels of social media reports that some monarchs are pleading that he should be pardoned to come home and bury his deceased mother.
Kanu said that with or without him, his mother would be buried, noting that what will gladden his mother’s spirit is the actualisation of the sovereign state of Biafra.
The IPOB leader said on Sunday, October 27, 2019: “I didn’t send or begged anyone to lobby the federal government of Nigeria on my behalf and will never do that. And even if such request is granted, I will not honour it because the cabals in Also Rock are not to dictate things for me.
“What I can assure you is that my mother must be buried. When she was alive she told me to do everything within my power to restore Biafra. I may attend her burial or I may not but certainly the burial must be done.”
Kanu’s mother died in a German hospital on August 30, 2019, as a result of the shock she sustained from the attack in their Afaraukwu home in Umuahia, Abia State, on September 14, 2017.
Monarchs in Orlu, Imo State, on Thursday, October 24, 2019, appealed to the Federal Government to allow Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, to return to Nigeria for the burial his mother, Sally, without molestation.
This appeal came at Amakwo Event Centre in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.
The royal fathers led by HRM Eze Gideon Ejike said, “Kanu is not a terrorist. Terrorists kill but we are yet to see any bloodshed by Kanu. He is our hero and should be allowed to bury his mother before the beginning of next year. He deserves the honour and right as the first son to bury his mother.”
The monarchs also called on the United Nations to prevail on the FG to allow Kanu to bury his dead mother without molestation.
The traditional ruler of Orsu ancient kingdom in Ideato North LGA said Kanu had brought hope to the oppressed people of South East and South-South Nigeria, hence their decision to bestow on him a chieftaincy title.
