President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday told Southeast leaders that the fate of pro-separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu will be decided by the courts.
He stated this during a meeting with leaders from the region at the New Government House Abakaliki.
Buhari is in Ebonyi State for a two-day working visit.
The President was reacting to a demand by the leaders for him to grant amnesty to Kanu and other youths from the region in detention across the country.
They said they are in dialogue with dissident groups in the region with a view to bringing them to a round table discussion for the return of peace.
Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been in detention since last year after he was arrested by the Federal Government.
He is facing prosecution for alleged treasonable felony and terrorism allegations he continues to deny.
Since his arrest, the southeast has witnessed increasing spate of killings and attacks on security agents, government facilities and high profile individuals.
The attacks have been blamed on IPOB by security agencies and the Federal Government but the group has continued to deny responsibility.
But leaders and residents are of the view that Kanu’s release could go a long way in resolving the security quagmire in the region.
Leaders who spoke at the meeting include Chairman of Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Charles Mkpumai; Southeast Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rev Fr Abraham Nwali; Ohanézè Ndígbo President-General, George Obiozor and First Republic Minister, Mbazulike Amaechi.
Eze Mkpuma also called on Buhari to support the call for a President of southeast extraction.
Amaechi pleaded with the President to help restore peace in the region.
“I want to see peace in this country before I join my ancestors, I want to see peace in the south east particularly where there is upsurge of crisis and something that will lead to that peace is around the corner and we are asking you to give me the mandate and I will give you peace. I guarantee you this Mr. President”
“We say in Igbo land that a mad man is owned by his people. If somebody was mad yesterday, and on guarantee of elders like me and other elders, I will bring him out and that is to get peace.
“Help us to get the peace and I will give you peace in this part of this country and also in Nigeria because I am a Nigerian, I took part in the struggle for the independence of this country,” he said.
Nwali said:
He said: “As a body that is of genuine counsel, our country is currently challenged greatly by insecurity and societal conflict here and there with high level of poverty. A great number of our families are living in the fear of the unknown.
“As a father of our dear nation and south east, we bring to your notice that the sit-at-home has crippled the economy of south east and banditry is engulfing the nation.
“Our society is growing by violence with a lot of youth restiveness. We know that you are doing your best to solve these problems but we request kindly your Excellency of more dialogue with all nationalists and more empowerment to the various security agencies to tackle this monster called insecurity.
“We request that you exercise the promotion of equity, fairness, and social justice by all institutions and political parties especially as we approach the year of transition.
“We plead for your political solution as a father, a loving father, a forgiving father to grant Nnamdi Kanu freedom. We pray that he be granted pardon as we call on all agitators to cease all forms of hostilities and other demands for a nation where the plight of the poor, the weak, the oppressed will be addressed.
He called for the zoning of the Presidency to the southeast and support of other regions to the call for president of southeast extraction.
“History shall be kind to you and you will have the greatest ovation in the world if your administration can do that which al
Ohanézè President-General, George Obiozor represented by Ohaneze’s Deputy Legal Adviser, Peter Alike, called for amnesty for all Igbo youths languishing in various detention facilities across the country.
Ebonyi Governor David Umahi called on other regions to support a President of Southeast extraction in 2023.
But Buhari replied he holds the view that Kanu’s matter should be properly adjudicated in the law court.
He expressed concerns at the worsening security situation in the region.
He said a few persons from the region have brainwashed and incited a segment of the population against the government.
Buhari declared anyone caught bearing arms especially AK-47 rifles and who is not a security official should be dealt with appropriately.
He said: “I must register my deep and grave concern with regards to the deteriorating state of affairs in this region.
“I have listened carefully to various appeals from the Elders and Traditional Leaders regarding our wide range of options and as I have said previously, this matter remains in the full purview of the law court where it will be properly adjudicated.
“My worry is for our hardworking and innocent civilians for whom life is already tough and would like to go out and wean a good and honest living. There are many that fit this profile and the government owe them that obligation to protect their lives and property.”
Buhari on Thursday commenced a two-day working visit to Ebonyi with the inauguration of projects at King David University of Medical Sciences, Uburu.
The president’s aircraft landed at Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu at about 10. a.m. on Wednesday.
He was received by Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State and some governors of the APC, including the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo and his counterpart from Jigawa, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar were also on a solidarity visit to welcome the president to Ebonyi.
The president would conclude his visit to Ebonyi with a closed-door meeting with the South-East leaders in Abakaliki before departing for Abuja on Friday.
Ohanaeze had in a statement on Tuesday said Buhari’s two-day working visit to Ebonyi would kick-start the process to get Nnamdi Kanu released.
The statement read, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has given assurances of peace and security ahead of the planned presidential visit to Ebonyi State.
“This is part of the resolutions reached at the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Elders council meeting held in Abakiliki on Tuesday 3rd May 2022.
“For translucence and clarity of purpose, President Muhammadu Buhari has been fair to Ndigbo with federal projects irrespective of the fact that his party’s declined fortunes and acceptance in 2015 and 2019 elections in the southeast, but the Chairman of Southeast Governors and Ebonyi Governor, Engr Dave Nweze Umahi has brought good tidings and paid huge sacrifices for Ndigbo to access the presidency and attract federal government’s projects and attention to the southeast zone.
“The Elders council was presided over by Prince Dr Richard Ozobu insisted that this is the best opportunity for Igbo leaders with the southeast Governors to dialogue with President Buhari over the release of the Ipob leader Mazi Nnamdi Kalu.
“Ndigbo expectations are that such windows of opportunities must be fully utilized for positive results as President Buhari will be received warmly by Ndigbo, this will be one of the most remarkable visits of Mr President to the southeast, as we except that the President’s two days working visit to Ebonyi state will change the narratives that Buhari loves Ndigbo, and he will prove it by kick-starting the process that will release Nnamdi Kanu”.
“IPOB and other Biafra Agitators should hold their peace and remain loyal to the procedure that will help them achieve the release of their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“Buhari’s visit will usher in fresh hopes of having a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction and secure the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
”We are conscious of the fact that IPOB is cognisant of the process of releasing their leader is ongoing, and their proper attitudes and conduct are expected to solidify the process of Kanu’s release.
“We are welcoming President Buhari with an open mind and wish him a pleasant stay in Ebonyi State.”
The Nation / The Punch
