The youth wing of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, has called on President Bola Tinubu to honour an alleged agreement with the family of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The National President of the group, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, made this appeal in a statement, urging the President to prioritize the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a step toward restoring peace in the South-East.
This follows remarks by Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who expressed skepticism over the impact of Kanu’s release on security in the region.
Soludo had stated, “Even if Nnamdi Kanu is released today, I’m not sure they would listen to him because what they now pursue is wealth, not liberation. They have become enemies of the people they claim to protect.”
Reacting to Soludo’s comments, Okwu urged President Tinubu not to be swayed by such opinions.
He emphasized that Kanu’s release remains a crucial factor in addressing the insecurity and tension in the South-East.
According to Okwu, “It is surprising that any Igbo leader would downplay the significance of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release. The President should act on the reported agreement with Kanu’s family, as this would be a major step toward lasting peace in the region.”
Kanu’s brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, recently disclosed that an agreement for Kanu’s release was reached with President Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, during the 2023 presidential election campaign.
He expressed confidence that the President would fulfill the promise.
Okwu further stated, “We trust that President Tinubu, as a man of honour, will take the necessary steps to ensure this matter is resolved. This will greatly ease tensions and promote harmony in Igbo land.”
The group also reiterated its belief that the release of Kanu would serve as a foundation for rebuilding trust and stability in the South-East.
