The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has encouraged South-East governors and political leaders to disregard Simon Ekpa’s objections to their planned negotiations for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release.
Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra Government in Exile, had questioned the legitimacy of the governors to negotiate Kanu’s freedom.
In a statement made available to the press on Thursday, the National President, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, appealed to the governors to proceed without hesitation and engage the Federal Government for Kanu’s release.
Okwu emphasized that the governors, as elected leaders, possess legitimacy, unlike Ekpa, who is based in Finland.
He questioned Ekpa’s motives, suggesting that he benefits from Kanu’s prolonged detention and does not work in the best interest of the Igbo people.
The Ohanaeze youths urged the governors to initiate efforts to secure Kanu’s release, ignoring Ekpa’s distractions.
They called on the governors and South-East National Assembly members to engage in a purposeful discussion with the Federal Government, expressing confidence that the current administration would respond positively to their request.
“It is curious to hear Simon Ekpa say the governors lack legitimacy. These are elected leaders of the people. If they lack legitimacy, is it self-serving Ekpa that is in far away Finland that has legitimacy?
“One is forced to ask- what really does Simon Ekpa want? Why is always against any move to get Mazi Nnamdi Kanu off the hook?
“The answer is simple- he is benefiting from the prolonged detention of the IPOB leader and time has come for everyone in Igbo land to understand that Simon Ekpa does not in any way work for the interest of the people, rather he is doing business with Biafra agitation.”
The Ohanaeze youths urged the governors to go ahead and initiate every step that would ensure that Kanu is released in the shortest time possible.
“They should not in any way be distracted by Ekpa’s antics. We call on the governors and all the NASS members from the South-East to rally round and hold a purposeful discussion with the Federal Government.
“We have no doubt that the current administration will heed to their request,” Okwu further stated.
