The traditional ruler of Abiriba ancient kingdom, HRM Eze Kalu Kalu Ogbu (Anachoken Abiriba), along with various Igbo youth groups, has voiced strong support for the South East Governors’ recent decision to seek President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s intervention for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
This united front comes as a significant endorsement for the South East Governors and members of the National Assembly of Igbo extraction who are advocating for Kanu’s freedom. Their efforts reflect a broader push by Igbo leaders to address the longstanding grievances related to Kanu’s detention.
In an exclusive interview with Sunday Vanguard in Umuahia, Enachoken Abiriba articulated his support for the governors’ initiative. He stated that Kanu’s release is “long overdue” and criticized the Federal Government’s portrayal of Kanu as a fugitive. According to Enachoken, “His release is long overdue. Nobody had expected him to last till now. They had wanted to kill him before he ran away. They knew that the young man did not jump bail, that they came to kill him before he ran away.”
Enachoken praised the current efforts by Igbo leaders to secure Kanu’s unconditional release, urging the federal government to act in a manner that fulfills the people’s hopes. His remarks underscore the sentiment among many Igbo leaders and citizens who view Kanu’s continued detention as unjust.
Echoing Enachoken’s sentiments, the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders has also expressed its support for the governors’ quest to engage President Tinubu. The President General of COSEYL, Goodluck Ibem, emphasized that Kanu’s release is crucial for restoring peace and national cohesion. He argued that “The release of Kanu is critical for the security and peace in the region. This move will put criminal elements who have capitalized on his incarceration to perpetuate crime using IPOB as cover out of business.”
Ibem further asserted that Kanu’s freedom would facilitate dialogue and peaceful resolution of the issues facing the South East, fostering a constructive relationship between the government and various agitation groups. He stated, “Releasing Nnamdi Kanu will usher in security, progress and development as farmers and businesses which have been out of business as a result of insecurity will be back to their businesses.”
He also appealed to President Tinubu, calling on him to consider Kanu’s release to advance peace, unity, and national cohesion. “We therefore urge the father of the nation and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in order to restore peace, unity, progress, national cohesion and integration,” Ibem said.
Both Enachoken and COSEYL’s leadership have urged South East Governors and other Igbo leaders to persist in their efforts until Kanu is finally released, emphasizing that this cause is of “urgent national importance” and pivotal for regional stability.