Posted by Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a socio-cultural organization representing the Igbo people, has pleaded with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to free Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who is currently being held in custody.
Additionally, Ohanaeze requested that the President of Nigeria drop all charges that have been brought against Kanu.
Ohanaeze, in the course of its appeal to the President, divulged the fact that if Tinubu did that, he would become a national hero.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the organization made this information public. In the statement, its Secretary General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, reacted to the news that the agitator for the Yoruba people, Sunday Igboho, had been freed from detention in the Benin Republic after spending about two years there.
Ohanaeze, while praising Yoruba leaders for their role in winning the release of Igboho, urged on President Tinubu to follow in the footsteps of Patrice Talon, his counterpart in Benin, and release Kanu from detention.
The following is an excerpt from the organization's statement: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo expresses its heartfelt appreciation for the unwavering contributions of Yoruba leaders such as former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Professor Banji Akintoye, Professor Wole Soyinka, and Pa Ayo Adebanjo towards the release of Sunday Igboho.”
“The organization recalls their Independence Day petition for the release of both Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho, which was submitted on October 1, 2023.
“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,” Ohanaeze Ndigbo stated.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo is confident that President Tinubu will be acclaimed as a national hero if he seizes this chance to liberate Nnamdi Kanu. This is the solid belief of the organization.
“The group acknowledges that Nigerians who felt denigrated by Kanu's conduct should find it in their hearts to forgive him, as his release will mark a big step towards national unity and reconciliation. His release will mark a significant stride towards national unity and healing.