According to Vanguard, A political pressure group, the Igbo Union, has urged President Bola Tinubu to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Kanu has been held in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) for more than three years. The call was made by the President of the Igbo Union, Prince Elias Odoemena, in a statement on Tuesday, emphasizing that the release of Kanu should be to the President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
Prince Odoemena stressed that releasing Kanu would demonstrate President Tinubu's commitment to addressing the concerns of the people and adhering to court orders. He highlighted that such a gesture would present Tinubu as a leader who listens to the cries of his people, fostering a sense of justice and fairness. The statement underscores the significance of Kanu’s release in mending the strained relationship between the federal government and the Igbo community.
Odoemena expressed disappointment over the previous administration's handling of Kanu's detention. He suggested that instead of taking actions that might reduce the hostility towards the Igbo people, the former government exacerbated tensions by continuing to suppress Kanu’s voice. This approach, according to Odoemena, has only intensified feelings of alienation and resentment within the Igbo community.
The Igbo Union's appeal to President Tinubu is seen as a crucial step towards reconciliation and national unity. The group believes that addressing the long-standing issue of Kanu's detention could pave the way for a more harmonious relationship between the government and the Igbo people. This call for action is rooted in a broader desire for justice and equality, which the Igbo Union argues is essential for the country's stability and progress.
He said: “It will be wrong to beat a child and ask him not to cry. It’s unfortunate that instead of doing the needful and reducing the rate of hatred on the Igbos, the the immediate past government thought that suppressing Nnamdi Kanu’s cry will make him stop the cry.