Victor Ezeja
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has called on the Nigerian government to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Governor Soludo stated this during the flag-off ceremony for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) campaign at the Dr Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelSoludo offered to stand surety for Kanu, if he cannot be released unconditionally, stressing that his release will help to proffer solution to the security crisis in the South East region.
With this appeal, Soludo has joined other prominent individuals and groups in calling on the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to release the IPOB leader.
Last week, a United States lawmaker, Jarvis Johnson called on the Nigerian authorities to immediately release Kanu.
Johnson, who is representing District 139 in the Texas House of Representatives, equally called on the US government to intervene in the matter and stop further violation of Kanu’s fundamental rights.
Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Service (DSS) since June 27, 2021, after being forcefully brought back from Kenya to face terrorism charges.
A three-man panel of the Court of Appeal had in October ruled that Kanu’s rendition from Kenya was illegal. The court also discharged and acquitted him.
Earlier, a United Nations Working Group had also called on the Buhari government to unconditionally release Kanu, citing instances of human rights abuses meted out to the IPOB leader by the Nigerian authorities.
However, the Federal refused to obey the order, saying that his release might trigger more instability in the Southeast.
But Governor Soludo on Saturday, January 14, 2023, he’s ready to stand surety for the embattled IPB leader, in case the Buhari Government would not release him unconditionally.
A statement by Christian Aburime, Press Secretary to the governor, quoted Soludo as saying: “I am making a passionate appeal to the federal government to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally.
“If he cannot be released unconditionally, as delivered by the court judgement, I offer to be his surety. I will keep him, provide him with shelter, and whenever you need him, we will provide him to you so that we can finally put an end to insecurity in the South East,” the governor pleaded.
Soludo said that as a non-kinetic measure to insecurity in the region, a round table discussion is incomplete without Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s presence.
“We need Nnamdi Kanu in the roundtable conversation to discuss the insecurity in the South East. We must end insecurity in this region and we need Nnamdi Kanu to be around,” Soludo insisted.
The Anambra Governor requested that all major stakeholders in the South East need to meet at a round table to discuss the region’s security and prosperity, appealing to the federal government for assistance.
He harped on the need for a comprehensive, heart-to-heart approach to discussing the future of the South East.
Soludo, who is also the national leader of APGA, said the party believes in a new and progressive Nigeria.
“We make this plea in true conviction because APGA believes in a true and new Nigeria. To have this conversation, we need all stakeholders from the six geopolitical zones present.
“We are an integral part of Nigeria and believe in this country’s greatness,” Soludo said.
“This is the country’s first political party to commit to true federalism and a restructured Nigeria.
“Today, we honour Nnamdi Azikiwe, Mike Okpara, Chief Ojukwu, and all progressives. Anambra is Nigeria’s progressive heartland “Soludo emphasised.
“We are urging Nigerians to vote for APGA in the upcoming elections next month and in March. The APGA is the umbrella organisation for all progressives.
“We will continue to provide progressive leadership to Ndi Anambra. We invite all true progressives in Nigeria to recognise APGA as their home.
“We cordially invite you to the South East. We are both Republicans and Democrats. In Anambra, we allow anyone to campaign freely. We have a level playing field and give every candidate an equal opportunity “Soludo pointed out.
“We cannot afford to be an intransigent people, which is why we encourage everyone to campaign freely.
“We thank the Federal Government of Nigeria under the able leadership of President Mohammadu Buhari for the construction of the Second Niger Bridge, the construction of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway and his support to security agencies to combat insecurity in the South East.
“We established the Truth, Justice, and Peace Committee to investigate the root causes of insecurity in the South East, and their reports and findings are nearing completion,” he said.
Governor Soludo challenged APGA to win for the sake of the South East and prayed for continued peace, security, and prosperity, adding that APGA will provide Nigeria with true progressive development.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
