Victor EzejaGovernors in the South-east region of Nigeria have resolved to meet with President Bola Tinubu to discuss all pressing issues affecting the region, including securing the release of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
This was made known in a communiqué read by Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, after the forum’s meeting held in Enugu on Tuesday.
Other governors present at the meeting were Prof. Chukwuma Soludo (Anambra), Dr Alex Otti (Abia), Mr Peter Mbah (Enugu) and Mr Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi).
Governor Uzodimma also stated that the forum “deliberated on the reviewed report of the South-east Security and economic Summit held in Owerri on the 28th September 2023 and agreed to implement the aspects of the report pertaining to security and economic integration and affirmed its desire to put actionable plans on the key issues agreed.”
He added that “The Forum resolved to visit Mr. President to discuss pressing issues concerning the South-east Region.
“The Forum also resolved to interface with the Federal Government to secure the release of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.”
Uzodimma also mentioned that the forum received the delegation of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo; former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Emeka Anyaoku, and the Obi of Onitsha, HRM Nnaemeka Achebe; who paid a solidarity visit to the Forum.
Prime Business Africa reports that Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021, when he was brought back from Kenya under controversial circumstance. He has been facing charges related to terrorism brought against him by the Federal government. There have been calls for a political solution to the trial to enable Kanu regain his freedom.
During the Democracy Day speech, former Nigeria’s Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, called for intervention of President Tinubu to facilitate Kanu’s release.
Also, during the weekend, presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi, urged the Nigerian government to release Kanu.
Obi, while speaking with newsmen in Onitsha, said there was no reason for the continuous detention of the IPOB leader given that an Appeal Court had earlier acquitted him, although that acquittal was overturned by the Supreme Court.
Insecurity In South-east
For the past three years there has been a consistent rise in the spate of insecurity in South-east. Stakeholders in the region have raised concerns about the challenge and called for a sustainable solution to it.
Obi, who commended the government both at federal and state levels for their efforts so far, said there is need to do more to tackle the security challenge.
“In the South-east, there is a need for the governors to come together to be able to tackle it,” Obi said.
“Even in economic agenda, I want to see the South-east governors work more closely. We want to see them come together and also bring together other groups in the zone,” he added.
While some link the cause of the insecurity in South-east to continued detention of the IPOB leader as his supporters relentlessly agitate for his release, others say criminal elements may have cashed-in on the chaotic situation to unleash mayhem on people in the region.
During his appearance at the Federal High Court Abuja, recently, Mr Kanu condemned the crisis in South-east, saying that IPOB is a non-violent movement and does not support the killing of any human being in pursuit of their cause. He assured that if released, the crisis will stop.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
