The people of South East region have reacted regrettably over what they described as a disappointing position taken by President Muhammadu Buhari over deploying political solution to resolve the issue of detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Recall that the President had few weeks ago when a delegation of Igbo elders led by nonagenarian first Republic Aviation Minister, Chief Mbazuluike Amechi promised to consider their request to release him.
But the President, in an interview with a national television, Channels, Wednesday night, emphatically said he would not release the IPOB leader, insisting he must go throw the court to defend his actions.
The President, during an interview with Channels Television on Wednesday evening, said Kanu would not be released but must face the wrath of the law.
The President said there was a possibility of political solution for the pro-Biafra separatist leader, but he would not interfere with the judiciary.
“So, we are giving him an opportunity to defend himself in our system, not to be abusing us from Europe as if he was not a Nigerian. Let him come here with us and then criticise us here. Nigerians know that I don’t interfere with the judiciary, let him be listened to. But those who are saying that he should be released, no, we cannot release him”, Buhari had said.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo in its reaction described the President’s position regarding the release of Kanu as unfortunate even as it said the apex Igbo socio-cultural body plans to meet the President on the issue.
Reacting, the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaze Ndigbo, Chief Alex Ogbonnia said that Ohanaeze’s position on the issue is very clear and constant.
We have looked at the whole scenario and we are convinced that Nnamdi Kanu’s case and IPOB can only be solved through a political solution.
“Is unfortunate that the Presidency or the President hasn’t appreciated the Ohanaeze position and by extension the Igbo position or the Igbo leadership position on this matter.
“But we are very confident that by the time we will meet him early this year he will
understand it more.”
Elder statesman, Chief Mbazuluike Amechi who led a delegation to President Buhari in November on the issue said he took the President’s position calmly, saying that there is nothing wrong trying him in the Court.
But he quickly reminded the Federal Government that justice delayed is justice denied, the FG is denying him justice.
Chief Amechi said if the Federal Government insists on trying Kanu through the court of justice, they should go ahead, saying Igbo are not afraid of him going to court, but noted that justice delayed is justices denied.
“If they want to try him in the court, let them go ahead, Igbo have never been afraid of going to court, but justice delayed is justice denied.
“The Igbo worry is that Namdi Kanu has been brought to court on several occasions, and his lawyers filed court papers that he should be sent to prison, and the Federal Government refused to let him be kept in the prison where he is supposed to be kept until the end of his
trial; but they decided to keep him in the Department of State Services, DSS cell and still refused to go on with the trial, thereby denying him early trial and justice.
“What we are saying is that if they want to try Nnamdi Kanu, let them do it speedily and justly, and let justice be seen to have been done.
“Nobody should deny him right to justice that is all I can say for now. But I repeat, justice delayed is justice denied, so far they are denying him justice, let them give him justice.
“And if that is why the Igbo should be turned into slaves in Nigeria, I do hope they are not paving a way for more crises. Intimidating every Igbo household, as if they have committed a crime, they cannot move freely in their own country, the military and soldiers molest
them everywhere; it will not be accepted.
“Every kilometre of our road is manned by soldiers and police, punishing our people on the road; asking them to alight from their vehicles and trek kilometers just to pass their roadblocks and checkpoints, will no more be accepted.
“I don’t know what the Igbo have done wrong; I do not know. However I want peace in Nigeria and let them give peace a chance, that is all I can say and the Federal Government should take note and do the needful and stop the punishment being given Ndigbo on their roads by the military and the police. Let them give peace a chance”, Amechi said.
On their own, Igbo elite body, Alaigbo Development Foundation, ADF, said they have never believed that President Buhari would grant Kanu political release.
“Well, as a political detainee, we in ADF believe that President Muhammadu Buhari may have made up his mind to subject Kanu to legal trial.
“We have never entertained any illusion that Kanu would be released through the prerogative of Mercy.
“Chief Mbazulike Amaechi and others have done their best by pleading with the President for political pardon.
“However, IPOB and it’s sympathizers should awaken to the tough days ahead in their Self-determination struggle”, ADF spokesman, Abia Onyike said.
