The Ohanaeze-Ndigbo, an Igbo social-cultural group, along with the First Republic Aviation Minister Mbazulike Amaechi, have lashed at the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) for not supporting the release of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Kanu is currently standing trial for treason at an Abuja High Court, following his utterances that allegedly led to the killing of security operatives and civilians by IPOB.
President Muhammadu Buhari had on November 19 told some Igbo leaders led by First Republic parliamentarian and Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, that he will consider the “heavy” request for an unconditional release” of the IPOB leader.
However, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in a statement by Anthony Sani said the Igbo leaders’ motivations in demanding Kanu’s unconditional release were questionable.
Sani said releasing Kanu unconditionally, as proposed by the Igbo leaders, without first putting him through the judicial system was not in the best interest of Nigerians, and allowing Kanu to go through the legal procedure would strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
“Nigerians will be able to tell if secession is a crime against the state or not,” he said.
But Ohanaeze Ndigbo said that anyone who opposes Buhari’s willingness to use political means to resolve the Kanu case is an opponent of peace and prosperity.
National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Alex Chidozie Ogbonnia, said Buhari has demonstrated maturity by “demonstrating a desire for peace and the good of Nigeria.”
