The CEO/MD of Stelconic Properties Limited, Chief Sir Chukwuemeka Nkem Pat Orjiakor yesterday, appealed to the Federal Government to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to down the current security tension in the South East.
Chief Nkem Orjiakor, who spoke in Awka, told newsmen that the growing insecurity in the South East arose due to the detention of Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and would be suppressed if he is set free.
According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu needs to release Kanu urgently, for peace and improved security conditions to return to the South East, adding that it will to a large extent restore peace and address the deteriorating security challenges within the region ahead of the general elections.
He further urged the Federal Government to use dialogue to resolve the restiveness in the region.
In his words “As a concerned citizen who feels the sufferings and pains of my people and the challenges businesses are facing because of the worsening security challenges in our region. I am pleading with the Federal Government to release the Leader of IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, just as the court has ruled.”
“It is obvious to everyone that his continuous detention is the reason worsening security issues prevalent in today’s south East and the ‘seat at home’ which is crippling businesses in the region.”
“The Federal Government cannot continue to turn blind eye to our challenges as a people in this region, the president should try dialogue as a means to solve these problems, he should please release Kanu for normalcy to return in our place.” He stated.
It can be recalled that Kanu’s detention came after his rendition from Kenya. He was then thrown into the Department of State Services (DSS) cell during the former Muhammadu Buhari presidency.
According to the then Buhari government, Kanu was arrested abroad and brought back to answer for a 15-count terrorism-related charges. And while many, especially critics applauded the government’s move, claiming that Kanu’s rhetoric exacerbates ethnic tensions and threatens national unity, some others argued that the IPOB leader was only championing the rights of the marginalised Igbo people and calling attention to the perceived injustices they face within Nigeria.
Meanwhile, in October 2022, the Abuja Division of the Appeal Court discharged and ordered the release of Kanu, citing that the government lacked jurisdiction to prosecute the IPOB leader due to a faulty extradition process.
However, the government rejected the ruling and got the Appeal Court to reverse itself by issuing a stay-of-execution order on its judgement. Since then, Nnamdi Kanu has been detained for two years, and the FG appears uncommitted to bringing the IPOB founder’s case to a swift conclusion.
This situation has fueled cries and beliefs of segregation against the Igbos under the then Buhari-administration. And this brought jeopardy in the southeast, as armed gangs unleashed mayhem on government officials and enthroned terror upon innocent residents through enforced routine sit-at-home orders.
The erstwhile deputy chairman of Awka south local government council made a case for the youths, urging leaders in South East to provide enabling environment for job creation to thrive in the South East so that young people will be engaged with profitable jobs.
In his words, “apart from politics, the violence in the region is triggered by poverty, unemployment and lack of attention to the plights of young people. Personally, i think that addressing these drivers of violence will go a long way in restoring peace in the area.”
He applauded the recent move made by Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra state to stand surety for detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mr Nnamdi Kanu, saying it can solve the security question in South East.
He continued, “Personally, I will like to commend the governor of Anambra State, Prof. Soludo for the efforts he’s been making to solve the security challenges of the whole South East region, even going as far as putting himself in the line by offering to stand as surety. It is not easy and I think other governors should take a cue from him and work to improve the security situation in the region.”
We can recall that Governor Soludo, made a recent call for the release of Kanu, hinging it on the role that the separatist leader will play on ensuring peace and the end of insecurity in the south east.
The governor in the call said he was ready to stand as a surety for the secessionist leader, if he is released to him, that is if federal government finds it difficult to release him unconditionally.
