The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has called on President Bola Tinubu to withdraw all charges against Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Ohanaeze’s appeal comes on the heels of the recent release of Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, a Yoruba Nation activist, from Beninoise prisons.
Ohanaeze praised President Patrice Talon of the Benin Republic for the release of Igboho through the intervention of Yoruba leadership and political leaders in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Secretary General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and urged Tinubu to follow Talon’s example.
It said, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo expresses its heartfelt appreciation for the unwavering contributions of Yoruba leaders such as former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Banji Akintoye, Prof. Wole Soyinka, and Pa Ayo Adebanjo towards the release of Sunday Igboho.
“The organization recalls its October 1, 2023, Independence Day plea for the release of both Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo believes that this is an opportune time for President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate similar gestures and drop all charges against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, allowing him to regain his freedom.”
The group went on to say that Kanu’s release will be critical to restoring peace in the region and addressing the current security concerns.
It also urged Igbo leaders to focus on the necessity of doing what was necessary for the region’s improvement, calling on all Biafran organizations to end all squabbles and offensive media wars against the Federal Government.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo firmly believes that President Tinubu will be hailed as a national hero if he seizes this opportunity to release Nnamdi Kanu.
“The organization acknowledges that Nigerians who felt denigrated by Kanu’s actions should find it in their hearts to forgive him, as his release will mark a significant step towards national unity and reconciliation.
“We express our gratitude to President Talon, Yoruba leaders, and political figures for their efforts in securing Sunday Igboho’s release. The organization remains hopeful that President Tinubu will embrace this historic opportunity and contribute to the restoration of peace and harmony in Nigeria,” it added.
On Sunday, Igboho got his freedom after being imprisoned in the Benin Republic for two years.
He had escaped Nigeria after the Department of State Services raided his Ibadan house at midnight in July 2021.
