Victor EzejaIgbo global think tank and professionals, Nzuko Umunna, has called on the incoming administration in Nigeria to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to restore peace and stability in the Southeast region.
The new president of Nzuko Umunna and former Minister of Power, Venerable Prof. Chinedu Nebo, made the appeal on Friday in Enugu during the group’s confab called “Handshake Across Nigeria 2”.
The event was to send a message on the need for cohesion among various groups across the country.
In his speech to mark the formal acceptance of the leadership of Nzuko Umunna, Prof Nebo, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), said the group would be delighted to see the incoming government grant Kanu freedom.
The group had made a similar call in January 2022 when it appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari, seeking a political solution to every issue surrounding Kanu’s prosecution.
The IPOB Leader who had been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), since his rendition from Kenya under controversial circumstances in June 2021, was in October 2022, discharged and acquitted by the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja.
However, the Federal Government refused to release Kanu as ordered by the appellate court but hurriedly filed a four-ground notice of appeal against the Court of Appeal’s decision at the Supreme Court.
It then approached the Court of Appeal to suspend the execution of the order for the release of Mr Kanu from custody pending the Supreme Court’s decision on the competence of the charges.
The court granted the federal government’s request allowing it to pursue its appeal at the Supreme Court while Kanu remains in custody.
At the resumed hearing on Thursday, 27th April 2023, the government added nine grounds of appeal to the existing four and prayed the court to grant its appeal and set aside the Court of Appeal judgment and equally restore the charges against the IPOB leader for him to be tried at the Federal High Court.
Making his appeal for Kanu’s release, Prof Nebo said: “May I request that very important to us is that we would like to see the new Government prioritize and activate the immediate release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to help the region gain stability and peace.”
He further stressed that “equity, justice and fairness are the bedrock for all working democracies,” and added that “Therefore, equal citizens’ rights, justice, equity and fairness must not suffer in the Nigerian space.
Speaking further on equity and justice, he commended the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders forum “for standing up when it mattered the most.”
Nebo explained that “Handshakes Across Nigeria is a channel for the continuous engagement of our partners in the New Nigeria project and we shall continue to oil this vehicle.”
He thanked the outgone leadership of Nzuko Umunna for their vision, passion, energy and uncommon commitment to duties that have brought the group thus far.
He said that the group under his leadership would focus on the economic integration of Southeast and engage with various groups, including the business community, civic leaders, religious leaders, traditional rulers, political leaders, and youths to achieve its purpose by deploying what he called “strategic engagement” as a mode of operation.
“Our major focus will be the Economic Integration of the SE and Igbo-speaking areas. We will work with Ohanaeze Ndigbo to provide channels for cohesive engagement. We will do our best to do the heavy lifting in areas of Economic Integration, Health and Education advocacy and sustaining National alliance with our partners,” Nebo stated.
Highlights of the event were the installation of new leadership of the group and the launching of their book titled “Nzuko Umunna Chronicles.”
The event which was attended by eminent leaders from all parts of Nigeria, was aimed at building bridges, fostering peace, encouraging development and promoting mutual understanding among ethnic nationalities in the country.
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, who attended the event, stressed the need for purposeful leadership that promotes unity across the country.
“For us in Nigeria, we must not bequeath anarchy to the next generation. The challenges we face as a people are not specific to a particular region. We must, therefore, unite as one to build a nation that everyone will be proud of,” Obi stated.
He observed that leadership is a trust for service to society.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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