From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Against the backdrop of the recent access granted the incarcerated leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to see his doctor, a socio-cultural organisation, Anyi-Anyi has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to unconditionally release the IPOB leader in the interest of national unity.
In a statement signed by the National Leader of Anyi-Anyi, Barrister Anthony Okolo, the group urged Tinubu to use the opportunity of the softening stance of the federal government, towards the treatment of Kanu, to consider a political solution to solve the lingering problem, in the interest of the country’s unity and peaceful coexistence of Nigerians.
He also said, granting Kanu ‘unconditional’ release will enable him to access proper treatment, since his health condition has been deteriorating for a longtime.
“Your Excellency, Mazi Kanu’s outright release will demonstrate your earnest desire to break free from the past and to lay solid foundation for a new relationship between Ndigbo and your new government.
“The granting of Kanu access to his doctor is a commendable step as it has provided a leeway towards his release. Our appeal to you is that this is the time to show your humanity and statesmanship.
“Your magnanimity will bring hope to the nation, demonstrating to the Igbo people that you are a friend willing to listen to our concerns and address them. It will show that our hope for a fair and equitable Nigeria is possible and definitely realisable with you as President.
“While I acknowledge that there have been concerns regarding some of his actions, inactions and rhetoric, it is essential to remember that dialogue and engagement are preferable to protracted detention for addressing such issues.
“Your Excellency may wish to recall that our history is inundated with cases of activists who after receiving similar privileges contributed immensely to growth of society.
“These freedom fighters have done worse and said worse than Mazi Kanu, and yet, they have turned a new leaf and work with the government, since they have been given a chance to do so, who subsequent upon release from detention have integrated and realigned themselves back to the societal task of nation building.
“More to this, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has publicly disassociated himself from the hydra-headed “sit-at-home” in the Southeast region, which has almost crippled the region economically and security wise.
“Kanu’s alliance with the government in attempting to end the sit-at-home, is a sure sign that Kanu means well for the nation, and if released, could help to stabilize the Southeast region, in the interest of the whole nation”. The statement said.
It would be recalled that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has been in custody of the Department of State Service (DSS) since 2021 when he was extraordinarily renditioned to Nigeria from Kenya.