Traditional Rulers and representatives of clergy men in Igbo land have disagreed with the Federal Government that the release of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, would instigate crisis in the South East.
This is as the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, House of Representatives candidate for Arochukwu/Ohafia federal constituency in the 2023 election, Dr Okuji Obinna Oreh, has pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari, to heed the growing appeals to release Kanu, in compliance with the Appeal Court judgement that discharged him of all counts of terrorism charges preferred against him by the Federal Government.
Oreh said that releasing Kanu would greatly help to restore peace in the South East, and make President Buhari a hero of the Igbo race.
The monarchs and the clergy who were in Abuja on Monday to witness proceedings on the Federal Government’s stay of execution suit against the IPOB Leader, argued that Kanu’s release would rather bring peace and end the building tension in the zone.
Federal Government’s legal team had while aducing reasons it had refused to release the IPOB Leader despite the earlier judgement of the Court of Appeal that discharged and acquitted him of all counts of terrorism charge preferred against him, claimed that there would be crisis in South East if Kanu were released.
The FG’s Counsel further claimed that Kanu ” is a flight risk and a threat to national security”, hence, his fundamental rights should be suspended.
But the monarchs who spoke exclusicely with Vanguard, expressed sadness over the arguments of the Federal Government, insisting that Kanu’s release is rather the only known solution to the current unease in Igbo land.
The Igbo monarchs argued that the wild jubilation and eruption of joy across South East that greeted the Court of Appeal judgement which discharged Kanu was a firm proof that his release would finally usher inpeace to Igbo land.
Chairman of Ndieze in Ibeku land, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State,
HRM Eze Iheanyichukwu Ezigbo, who was among the delegation in Abuja to solidarise with Kanu during the Monday court hearing, urged President Muhammadu Buhari, to simply comply with the court order and stop looking for excuses to hold Kanu in perpetual custody.
” We want to refute the claims by the Federal Government that Kanu’s release will bring crisis in South East. It’s not true. We are the traditional rulers and we know our subjects: the joy and celebration that erupted when the Appeal Court judgement was announced was a sure proof that what matters most to them is the release of Kanu.
” So, the Federal Government’s argument holds no water. Buhari should prove himself as a man of honour and obey the rule of law by releasing Kanu”.
Another monarch on the delegation, HRM Eze Eddy Ibeabuchi,Okwu 1 of Okwulaga Afaraukwu,urged President Buhari to respect his earlier promise to a delegation of Igbo leaders in who met with him in 2021when he said he would abide by the court decisions on Kanu.
“Now that the court has discharged and case against Kanu Mr President should please honour his own words”, the monarch appealed…
Similarly, former Chairman, Council of Ndieze, Umuahia North LGA, HRM Eze Pastor Philip Ajomuiwe, who was also on the delegation, said that release of Kanu would bring total peace both to the South East and the entire country.
Others on the delegation were HRM Eze Innocent Nwigwe; HRM Eze Ben Oriaku of Ikwuano; HRM Eze Nnamdi Ofoegbu; and the General Overseer of Word Transformation Church, Apostle Mike Chimeremeze.
They all pleaded with President Buhari to honour his words; and not to miss his last opportunity of showing care for the Igbo race by releasing Kanu.
The monarchs said they might not leave Abuja until Kanu was released to them, expressing optimism that he would triumph in his current ordeals.
Meanwhile, Oreh said that releasing Kanu in line with the Court of Appeal judgement is the surest way to guarantee massive participation of the zone in the forthcoming elections.
The APGA Rep hopeful said he was in the race because of the new hope and confidence in the Electoral Act which is one of the legacies for which posterity would appreciate Buhari’s administration.
He said that since a court of competent jurisdiction had declared Kanu innocent; and the United Nations directed his immediate release, the President should no longer hesitate to release him.
The APGA candidate further noted that political solution remained the best way to resolve the issues concerning Kanu, and appealed to President Buhari not to lose this opportunity he has to endear himself more to the Igbo race.
Dr Oreh who lauded some of the giant strides of Buhari’s administration particularly in
the sector of infrastructure, urged the President to show respect to the rule of law.
“Through your economic policies and astute management, our country has exited two recessions despite prevailing headwinds with assurances of unleashing economic growth policies that will re-establish Nigeria as an economic power house”, Oreh said.
He appealed to South East youths to remain calm and not resort to any action capable of increasing tension in the zone, expressing hope that Kanu would soon be freed.
