Igbo Monarchs, Clerics Ask Buhari To Release Nnamdi Kanu For Peace To Reign In South-East

Traditional and religious leaders in the South-East have called for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and “take immediate steps to de-proscribe the group to stop the bloodletting in the region.​

According to the monarchs and Christian leaders, the heightened inequality and marginalization of Ndigbo remain the core of youth restiveness in the South- East.

The leaders, under the auspices of the South East Council of Traditional Rulers and the Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops in a joint statement made available to News Direct said the release of the IPOB leader would de-escalate the rising tension in the zone.

They also called on IPOB to cancel all scheduled sit-at-home orders and shun any action that would disrupt the November 6 Governorship Election in Anambra State.

“Accordingly, we refer to our earlier request for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to the South East Council of Traditional Rulers and 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 security and dislocation in the South East Zone.

We call on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to demilitarize the South-East Zone, moreso, as it has become apparent that a continued military siege of 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 deemphasize the military option and move towards finding a political solution that will lead to sustainable peace. “We assert that heightened inequality and marginalization remain at the core of youth restiveness in our region.

We urge our apex national leadership to note that until it takes deliberate steps to run government on the basis of fairness, equity, justice and non-discrimination, this restiveness is likely to continue. We shall respectfully seek audience with Mr President to discuss these issues in exploring political solution and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“On our part, we assure our youths that we have heard their cries of marginalization, injustice and longsuffering.

As concerned parents, we feel your pain. However, we urge you to de-escalate the tension and remain law-abiding to enable us to engage especially the Federal Government in finding a lasting solution to the crises.

Consistent with the above, we urge IPOB not to do anything that would hinder or be seen to be hindering the smooth running of the forthcoming Governorship Election in Anambra State and to cancel all scheduled sit-athome orders, as these have already caused untold hardship for our people.”

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