A pan Igbo socio-cultural organization, Imeobi Igbo Forum, Thursday in Onitsha, Anambra State, urged President Mohammadu Buhari, to release the leader of Indigenous People of Biafran, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, for tree, fair and credible election in the Southeast come the general election.
The Igbo group made the urge through her National chairman, Chief Mike Ikegulu, stating that four months after Appeal Court Judgement setting him free, he is yet to be released.
According to him the continuous detention of Kalu at the DSS dungeon amounts to nothing but illegal detention as he has been discharged and acquitted by a court of competent jurisdiction.
“He has no charges hanging on him, we demand the freedom of this prisoner of conscience who happens to be the only Igbo leader in the contemporary Igbo society. We have continued to plead with the President and Commander in Chief to release Kanu, not just based on the court verdict, but to abide by his word which Mr President gave, to allow the due process of law in deciding the matter.
“On 6th May 2022, nine months ago, during the Ebonyi State Stakeholders’ Forum held at the Government House Abakaliki, he told a group of Igbo leaders led by the late sage, Chief Mbazulike Amechi, who came to remind him of their earlier request at the State House Abuja, when they asked for freedom and pardon for MNK. Mr President said, “this matter remains in the full purview of the courts where it will be properly adjudicated”.
“Now the court has spoken.
Most Nigerians of good conscience have spoken. Governors, legislators, leaders of socio-cultural groups in the nation, civil society organizations, family members and eminent Nigerians have all called for MNK’s freedom.
“Four months since the appeal court granted him freedom, the doors of incacaration is still slammed against MNK’s freedom.
The Governor of Anambra State, Soludo, has taken up the assignment to campaign for MNK’s freedom with a very passionate appeal, letter and banners.
“He volunteered to take him on bail, even when there is no charge on him. The truth remains that freedom of MNK will reduce the insecurity in the Southeast. Freedom of MNK will end the Monday sit at home in the Southeast, release of MNK will ensure smooth conduct of the coming general election in the region.
” It will silence those on the irresponsible call for boycott of elections in the zone as they will have nothing to cling on to.
Freedom of MNK will turn the page to dialogue with IPOB and Igbo elites,” he stated.
