According to reports, President Muhammadu Buhari of the Federal Republic of Nigeria met with several Igbo leaders yesterday to solicit the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, the first Republic parliamentarian and Minister of Aviation, who headed the Igbo leaders under the platform of “Highly Respected Igbo Greats,” declared that if Nnamdi Kanu is released to them, they will be able to “manage” him and Kanu will not speak the way he did previously. Mbazulike claims he is not a member of IPOB, yet he is well-liked in Igboland today.
Buhari responded by saying that while the demand for Nnamdi Kanu’s release is challenging, he will examine it.
As we all know, this is not the first time a delegation of highly respected Igbo leaders has approached Buhari to ask for Nnamdi Kanu’s release.
The leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr. Ike Ekweremadu, the former Deputy President of the Senate, the South-East monarchs, and religious leaders from the southeast region were among those who called for a political solution and the release of Nnamdi Kanu not long ago.
As things stand, their actions may bear fruit since President Buhari has stated that he would take their requests into account.
Should the Yoruba leaders follow in the footsteps of the Igbo leaders and parley with President Buhari to release Sunday Igboho?
Despite the fact that Oduduwa nation agitator Sunday Igboho is now detained in the Benin Republic, the Nigerian federal government has attempted to extradite him to face prosecution in Nigeria.
However, it is within the federal government of Nigeria’s authority to withdraw the accusations against Sunday Igboho and diplomatically engage the government of Benin to secure his release.
As a result, Yoruba leaders should follow in the footsteps of Igbo leaders in pleading with Buhari to free Sunday Igboho. In democracy, being able to compromise — and knowing how — is a core skill for longevity.
This step would demonstrate that they (Yoruba leaders) favor a unified and peaceful Nigeria.
