The Family has asked President Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu in honour of the late Ohanaeze Leader, Iwuanyanwu.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the family of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to honour the late President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, by facilitating Kanu’s release.
They argue that this would be a fitting tribute to the late Igbo leader, who passed away in July and will be laid to rest on November 2nd.
The family also called on South-East governors and regional leaders to unite and push for Kanu’s freedom, expressing concern that they have not done enough to secure his release.
They believe that now is the perfect time to pursue a political resolution to Kanu’s case, following the recusal of Justice Binta Nyako from his trial.
According to them, her recusal offers a fresh opportunity for political dialogue, which they hope President Tinubu will seize, as he did in granting freedom to Yoruba separatist leader Sunday Igboho.
The Kanu family said, “Our candid view on the 24th of September court proceedings is that both Binta Nyako and Morgaji Bichi acted as obstacles, not only undermining Nigeria with their rigid stances but also creating significant embarrassment for the current administration that inherited these issues.
“Those opposed to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release are inadvertently suggesting to the international community that this administration is ineffective.”
Prince Emmanuel Kanu, speaking on behalf of the family, made an impassioned plea for President Tinubu to apply the same fairness in Kanu’s case, as was shown in Igboho’s.
He said: “We request the President to be fair and apply the same universal justice, fairness that was applied to freeing Sunday Igboho who is his tribesman.
“We pray for the happy repose of the soul of the late Ohaneze President General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, and ask the President and SE Governors to show respect to the late Igbo leader by releasing MNK.”
The family also criticized the marginalization of the Igbo people in the Nigerian political landscape, pointing out that despite their significant contributions to the country’s economy, they continue to face exclusion.
They emphasized the need for the Nigerian government to implement the post-Civil War “Three Rs” (Rehabilitation, Reintegration, and Restoration) to fully address the grievances of the Igbo people.
The Kanu family said, “There can never be progress and prosperity when one of the tripods of which Nigeria is built upon is intentionally marginalized and discriminated against.
“The Igbo tribe has shown good faith in the Nigerian project and it is mostly the Igbo that invests and builds wealth in every part of the nation without contemplating that they are not indigene of the local environment.
“Is it not time to end the civil war by deploying the 3 Rs of Rehabilitation, Re-Integration and Restoration?”
The Kanu family also expressed disappointment with the South-East governors, accusing them of complicity in their son’s prolonged detention.
They challenged the governors to take decisive action in securing his release, asking, “South East Governors why are you stopping the freedom of your own son? To what benefit is it to keep your son perpetually incarcerated? Why can’t the SE Governors take a cue from other zones who collectively worked for the freedom of their freedom fighters? South East Governors what are you afraid of?
“Governor Hope Uzodinma you’re the chairman of the SE Governors Forum and by extension the political rallying point of the South East Political leaders therefore, what is stopping you from showing leadership and leading from the front to go release your brother?
“Traditional and Religious leaders should create the atmosphere for the coming together of the South East Stakeholders to enable coherence and commonality in going to the president to demand the release of their son.”
They further clarified that Kanu’s activism was never about personal gain or seeking political office but was driven by a desire to address the long-standing marginalization of his people.
“While Mazi Nnamdi Kanu may have offended some individuals with his rhetoric, it doesn’t indicate he harbors hate.
“He cares for and respects people but expresses concern when things are not handled properly. He has no interest in holding political office in Nigeria; his primary focus is on ensuring the proper development of Biafra land with equal opportunities for all.
“Security Agency should see the release of MNK as a win and see MNK as a partner for the restoration of security and safety in the region,” the Kanu family concluded.
