Political Philosopher Prince Tony Ezeimo has re-emphasised that the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is crucial to resolving the ongoing insecurity in the South-East.
He urged President Bola Tinubu to consider the political implications of Kanu’s detention, stating that his release could pave the way for peace and stability in the region, which has been plagued by violence and unrest.
Ezeimo, who stated this when he was featured on a television programme, argued that while the government has introduced the South-East Development Commission to address regional issues, the release of Kanu is crucial for lasting peace.
He said the continued detention of Kanu fuels violence, as some criminals in the region falsely claim to act on his behalf.
Ezeimo also urged the government to consider Kanu’s case from a political perspective, expressing concern over the complacency of some state governors in addressing insecurity, particularly pointing to Anambra’s delayed response to violence.
According to him, Kanu’s release could shift his perspective and open the door to peaceful negotiations for the region’s future.
“The issue of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, until he is released, somebody like me will not stop talking about his release because I know that a lot of criminals in Igbo land is killing our people, you know, causing all sorts of mayhem, you know, destroying properties and lives because the federal government is holding Nnamdi Kanu.
“We are pleading with the federal government, the president of Nigeria, and the founder of the nation to please look at the case of Nnamdi Kanu from a political angle.
“I am pleading as a young man that the federal government should look at the case of Nnamdi Kanu politically and then release him.
“And when we now discover that even the court has granted him bail and the DSS is still holding him, it becomes more palpitating. It becomes more worrisome. So, we want Nnamdi Kanu to be released.
“We are pleading with the president to release him so that some of the criminals in Igbo land who are killing people claim that they are doing so, to which Nnamdi Kanu has even come to tell that he didn’t send these people,” he said.
LEADERSHIP reports that Nnamdi Kanu was arrested on June 27, 2021, in a highly controversial operation in Kenya. Nnamdi Kanu was arrested on June 27, 2021, in a highly contentious operation in Kenya and subsequently deported to Nigeria.
His arrest was related to his secessionist activities advocating for the independence of Biafra, which has led to clashes with Nigerian authorities. He was arrested in 2015 but was released on bail in 2017. Kanu went into hiding after skipping bail, and a warrant for his arrest was issued.
