The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders has expressed strong support for the efforts of Southeast governors to secure the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services since June 2021, following his re-arrest.
The Southeast Governors’ Forum, which comprises the five governors from the region, convened in Enugu State on Tuesday to strategize on how to persuade President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to facilitate Kanu’s release. The governors are united in their resolve to meet with President Tinubu to advocate for Kanu’s freedom.
In a statement issued in response to the governors’ move, COSEYL’s President General, Goodluck Ibem, emphasized that Kanu’s release is crucial for restoring security and peace in the Southeast region. He stated that the current situation has allowed some criminal elements to exploit Kanu’s incarceration, using IPOB as a pretext for their illegal activities.
“The release of Kanu will usher in security, progress and development as businessmen and women who have been out of business due to insecurity will return to their economic activities,” Ibem said. He further explained that Kanu’s freedom would facilitate dialogue and a peaceful resolution of longstanding issues in the Southeast.
Ibem continued, “Releasing Nnamdi Kanu will pave the way for dialogue and a peaceful resolution to the longstanding issues in the southeastern region. This will help de-escalate tensions and foster a more constructive conversation between the government and other agitation groups in the nation.”
COSEYL’s statement concluded with a call to President Tinubu to take action, urging him as “the father of the nation and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces” to consider releasing Kanu to restore peace, unity, and national cohesion.
