Tinubu Receives Letter From Kinsmen Comparing Nnamdi Kanu To Mandela As Advocate For Truth And Justice...CONTINUE READING

Youths from the Ibeku ancient kingdom in Umuahia, Abia State, who are kinsmen of the detained Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, have compared him to the late South African leader, Nelson Mandela, praising his dedication to truth, equity, and justice.

In a letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the youths expressed dismay over the previous administration’s decision to detain Kanu instead of addressing his calls for fairness and justice. They highlighted the adverse impact of Kanu’s prolonged detention on peace and security in the South East region, urging President Tinubu to heed nationwide appeals for Kanu’s release.

Following an emergency meeting at their national secretariat in Isieke Ibeku, the youths issued a statement affirming that Kanu is not a terrorist but a voice against enduring injustices faced by his people. They called for Kanu’s immediate release, drawing parallels between his advocacy and the struggles of other freedom fighters who have faced similar charges.

Signed by their National President, Martins Chiedozie Nwosu, and Secretary, Chibuzor Onwukamuche, the communique emphasized Kanu’s commitment to truth, equity, and justice for the Igbo tribe and the Eastern part of Nigeria, likening it to Mandela’s legacy in South Africa. They underscored the destabilizing effect of Kanu’s detention on the Eastern region and cautioned against exploiting his plight for political gain.

The Ibeku youths also urged the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, to responsibly guide public discourse and advised against provocative statements from figures like Reno Omokiri.

In a separate letter dated July 1, the Ibeku Youth Association expressed profound sadness and frustration over Kanu’s prolonged and arbitrary detention despite court orders for his release. They asserted that Kanu’s advocacy was driven by a genuine quest for fairness and justice, seeking equitable representation for Eastern and Southern Nigerians within the nation.

The letter recounted the mishandling of Kanu’s peaceful advocacy by the government, leading to his arrest and subsequent violence against Igbo youths in 2017. They implored President Tinubu to show mercy and release Kanu, stressing that his continued detention exacerbates instability and economic hardship in the region.

Despite repeated court directives for Kanu’s unconditional release, he remains confined at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja since his extradition from Kenya in June 2021. This has sparked widespread demands for justice and governmental accountability in addressing escalating tensions and insecurity in the South East region.