After Kanu’s appearance in the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, political leaders and prominent figures from the South-East area have began working to secure the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
According to multiple Igbo elders, Kanu’s appearance before Justice Binta Nyako rescued the country, particularly the South-East region, from further catastrophe.
The IPOB leader is accused of treason and seditious activity.
He was jailed in the Department of State Services facility after the Federal Government brought him from Kenya over three months ago (DSS).
According to the Sun, there have been covert meetings between various South-East governors and the IPOB leader, including Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s recent commitment to ensure Kanu’s justice as an Abia citizen.
Several Igbo leaders were also said to have continued to press for a political solution to the problem.
Kanu’s appearance in court on Thursday, according to Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo sociocultural group, was “some kind of significant win.”
The group stated that it will help to de-escalate tensions in the region, crediting its success to Prof. George Obiozor (President-General) and Okey Emuchay (Secretary-General), both experienced diplomats.
Chief Alex Ogbonnia, the group’s National Publicity Secretary, said it was another step forward in Ohanaeze’s persistent efforts to free the IPOB leader as soon as possible.
Chief Alex Ogbonnia, the group’s National Publicity Secretary, said it was another step forward in Ohanaeze’s persistent efforts to free the IPOB leader as soon as possible.
Ohanaeze had sent a high-powered delegation to court, which included former Anambra State governor, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Nwosu Ibe, and a top legal practitioner, Chief Goddy Uwazurike, to monitor the proceedings and report back to the party’s leadership.
Ogbonnia said, “We are unrelenting in our resolve to ensure that the FG toes the path of wisdom by conceding to the proposal for dialogue and Alternative Dispute Resolution which will ensure the unconditional freedom of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and all members of IPOB detained across Nigeria.”
Obiozor had urged on the Presidency to explore dialogue as a remedy for peace in his inaugural speech on January 20, 2021, claiming that the jackboot approach to the IPOB revolt would worsen the fragile situation.
In a statement signed by his media adviser, Uche Anichukwu, earlier this week, former Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, assured that the South East Caucus of the National Assembly, where he serves as the leader, was also working to defuse tensions in the region and find a political solution that would result in Kanu’s release.
Leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Uchenna Madu had warned that Kanu’s absence in court would bring devastating destruction to Nigeria as, according to him, “it will be a proof of evidence that he has been killed in DSS detention cage. Nigeria government should know what it means and the follow up reaction if Nnamdi Kanu is denied his physical appearance in the court.”
The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) expressed happiness that the IPOB leader was brought to court, but it expressed displeasure with the handling of the issues. Its President-General, Goodluck Ibem said, however, that with the development, “there will be no need again for the one month sit-at-home threat by IPOB.”
Abia Onyike, a spokesman for the Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), said the Igbo Nation’s self-determination struggle was the most progressive step in overcoming the current crisis that has bedeviled the chaotic Nigerian federation, following decades of injustice, oppression, and suppression of Ndigbo as a major ethnic nationality in Nigeria. IPOB, for its part, has praised the contributions of several individuals and groups, culminating in its leader’s presence in court on Thursday.
The organization intimated that it would not engage in any type of discussion unless its leader was unconditionally released and a date for a Biafra referendum was set. Emma Powerful, IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, said those involved in bringing Kanu to court had done Nigeria and the DSS a major service by listening to sensible counsel.