In an address made at some point of an assembly with Buhari at the Executive Council Chambers, New Government House, Abakaliki, leaders of the South-Eastern regions demanded the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
The meeting, which was deliberated as a two-day stay in Ebonyi by the President, took place today amid endured affirmations by the President of the inauguration plans of the agreed projects. Namely, the King David University of Medical Sciences to be constructed in Uburu.
Earlier in the week on Wednesday, the presidential aircraft had landed at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu at 10 in the morning with Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State on standby to receive the President. Joining the Governor’s welcoming birthday party had been other stakeholders of APC such as the Governors Atiku Bagugu of Kebbi State (also Chairman of the Progressive Governor’s Forum), Hope Uzodimma of Imo, and Alhaji Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State who has been all on unity visits to welcome the president.
The closed assembly with the South-East Leaders was once scheduled for today, Friday, and must be the final item to be concluded before the president departs for Abuja. Perhaps a catalyst for the demand made today, beforehand on Tuesday, the Ohaneze Ndigbo team had in a declaration stated that President Buhari’s two-day visit would start the procedure for Nnamdi Kanu’s release.
It read: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has given assurances of peace and protection in advance of the planned presidential visit to Ebonyi State. This is phase of the resolutions reached at the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Elders council assembly held in Abakiliki on Tuesday 3rd May 2022.
“For translucence and readability of purpose, President Muhammadu Buhari has been fair to Ndigbo with federal tasks irrespective of the truth that his party’s declined fortunes and acceptance in 2015 and 2019 elections in the southeast, but the Chairman of Southeast Governors and Ebonyi Governor, Engr Dave Nweze Umahi has introduced correct tidings and paid massive sacrifices for Ndigbo to access the presidency and attract federal government’s projects and interest to the southeast zone.
“The Elders council, presided over by Prince Dr. Richard Ozobu insisted that this is the exceptional probability for Igbo leaders with the southeast Governors to communicate with President Buhari over the release of the Ipob leader Mazi Nnamdi Kalu.
“Ndigbo expectations are that such windows of possibilities should be fully utilized for fantastic outcomes as President Buhari will be welcomed warmly by Ndigbo, this will be one of the most exquisite visits of Mr. President to the southeast, as we assume that the President’s two days working visit to Ebonyi state will alternate the narratives that Buhari loves Ndigbo, and he will prove it by kick-starting the system that will release Nnamdi Kanu.”
“IPOB and other Biafra Agitators should hold their peace and stay loyal to the manner that will assist them to acquire the release of their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“Buhari’s visit will usher in sparkling hopes of having a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction and impenetrable the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
”We are aware of the reality that IPOB is cognisant of the method of releasing their chief is ongoing, and their acceptable attitudes and behavior are predicted to solidify the method of Kanu’s release.
“We are welcoming President Buhari with an open mind and want him to have a fascinating visit to Ebonyi State.”
But the President was also speedy to make his reply. He stated that the courts would decide the destiny of the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu. He similarly stated that the federal government was in talks with dissident groups to bring things to a peaceable resolution.
The President decried the worsening security situation in the sector, mentioning that the current troubles of the location have been owed to a few brainwashed human beings inciting many against the government. Only together, insisted the President, and leaving things to the courts would Nnamdi Kanu’s case be appropriately treated and the law upheld.
