Why Buhari Should Release Nnamdi Kanu – South East Leaders

The Council of Traditional Rulers and Christian leaders in the South East have demanded the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

In a joint statement released on Sunday, the monarchs and Christian leaders said the release of Kanu will stop the killings and destruction in the South East.

The leaders disclosed that they would seek an audience with President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss the release of Kanu and the secession agitations in the South East.

They asked the President to immediately address the heightened inequality and marginalisation of Ndigbo in the polity and take deliberate steps to run the government based on fairness, equity, justice and non-discrimination.

According to the statement, the leaders asked the government to immediately withdraw troops of the Nigerian Army from the region so that peace can reign in the region.

The leaders, however, urged Buhari to de-proscribe the IPOB and release all its members being held in various detention facilities in the country.

The statement read in part: “Flowing from similar initiatives taken to bring peace to other troubled parts of the country, we urge the Federal Government and other stakeholders to explore dialogue and negotiation in resolving critical issues that threaten national unity, cohesion and development.

“Accordingly, we refer to our earlier request for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to the South East Council of Traditional Rulers and the Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops and restate this call even more strongly. We are of the firm belief that this act of courage and statesmanship is not only imperative but will speedily de-escalate the heightened state of insecurity and dislocation in the South East Zone.

“We also urge President Buhari and the Federal Government to take immediate steps to de-proscribe the Indigenous People of Biafra and release all IPOB members being held in various detention facilities in Nigeria.

“We call on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to demilitarize the South East Zone, more so as it has become apparent that a continued military siege on the region can only lead to heightened tension, skirmishes and endless bloodletting between the security agencies and our youths. It has become urgent, imperative and compelling to de-emphasize the military option and move towards finding a political solution that will lead to sustainable peace.”