The Federal Government has been advised to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu to halt the lingering insecurity in the South East and restore peace to the zone.
This advice came yesterday from Evangelist Chukwuemeka Obi, who is the Founder and Spiritual Director of Zion Prayer Movement Outreach (ZPMO) during his ministration in Lagos.
According to him, “only Kanu’s release will restore peace and security in the South East”, and prayed the South East governors, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the Igbo elite, to make Kanu’s release a priority as a matter that is indispensable to the restoration of peace and normality to the region in particular and Nigeria in general.
While advising the South East governors, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the stakeholders in Igbo agenda to engage the Federal Government accordingly, Obi said “irrespective of whatever anybody feels, South East youths have lost confidence in their leaders and will only listen to Kanu, hence, his release remains central to the return of peace in the South East”.
He maintained, “We cannot continue to pretend, all is not well. South East is now like a war zone and our youths are running away because of insecurity.
“I plead with the South East Governors, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Igbo Leaders to go and beg the Federal Government to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. I am begging for Kanu’s release because I believe that only his release can bring peace to Igbo land.
“Nobody listens to anybody except Nnamdi Kanu. Whether or not we like it, it’s only Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who will speak, and everybody listens. If they release him, the government will now be able to fish out those who hide under the umbrella of agitation to perpetrate evil in the zone”.
Obi further lamented the destruction of the Southeast economy following the incessant sit-at-home protests sequel to Kanu’s continued detention, regretting that Ndigbo, who naturally delight in visiting home during Christmas celebration, now dread going home due to insecurity.
“Ndigbo usually go home during Christmas but now everybody is afraid of visiting Igbo land. Igbo leaders should know that if things continue this way, very soon, we will have no place to call home.
“The Federal Government and South East Governors should know that for stability in the zone, you cannot take Nnamdi Kanu away. He remains the solution to the security crisis in the South East and parts of South-South.
“The only thing I know that if it happens now tension will go down, and peace will return to South East is the release of Nnamdi Kanu. I, therefore, beg the Federal Government, to please release him for the sake of peace in the zone,” he said.
Obi who is also a philanthropist, however, acknowledged the efforts of the South East Governors towards Kanu’s release but urged them to intensify efforts, adding that no meaningful progress will be recorded in their respective states under the current state of insecurity.
According to him, “None of the Governors can make progress under insecurity. Only dialogue will solve this. I know the South East Governors are trying but let them do more. Let them go and tell the Federal Government that only Kanu’s release will guarantee the return of peace in the zone. They cannot remain in power forever. One day they will leave office, and it’s only the legacy they leave that will speak for them.”
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