- Ohanaeze Ndigbo believes that releasing Nnamdi Kanu would put an end to the tension in the South-East region
- Kanu’s continued detention has contributed to the agitation in the region, according to Ohanaeze Ndigbo
- Ohanaeze Ndigbo believes that a diplomatic political solution is needed to resolve the Kanu issue
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has stated that releasing the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, would put an end to the tension in the country’s south-eastern region.
This comes just a few days after Kanu’s fundamental rights enforcement suit was dismissed for alleged inhuman treatment in detention by Department of State Security Services personnel.
Remember that Kanu has been detained for more than two years, while the region has been threatened by gunmen identified as members of the IPOB group led by Simon Ekpa.
Ekpa, who recently announced a two-week sit-at-home in the South East, issued the directives from Lahti, Finland.
Speaking about the situation, Ohanaeze spokesperson Alex Ogbonnia said Kanu’s continued detention contributed to the agitation in the region, adding that the situation is a reflection of the region’s social injustice.
He said;
We have been consistent on the release of Nnamdi Kanu. We believe that the problem of what happened to Nnamdi Kanu has contributed to the agitation. What is happening in the South-East now is the manifestation of the social injustices meted on the South-East.
Nnamdi Kanu issue will require a diplomatic political solution and not matter of charging him to court, leaving him in prison or being incarcerated; rather such will lead to more clamouring and affects the situation.
When asked if the tension in the South-East would come to an end if Kanu is released, he said;
If he (Kanu) is released, at least the likes of Simon Ekpa would not have anything else to say again. No person can use Nnamdi Kanu as an excuse to cause mayhem in the country.