Politics
BIAFRA: Utomi, Soludo join fight for Kanu’s release
Kanu, the self-acclaimed leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) on Tuesday played host to two prominent Nigerians who called for his immediate release from detention.
They were Charles Soludo, a former Governor of the Central Bank and Pat Utomi, a renowned economist.
Detained since October 2015 for leading a non-violent campaign for creation of a sovereign state of Biafra, the Federal Government has refused to grant Kanu bail even after multiple courts had ruled in his favour.
However, Soludo and Utomi on Tuesday joined calls for the immediate release of Kanu while condemning the killing of IPOB members in the Southeast.
The duo, under the umbrella of Nzuko Umunna, also expressed regret at the increasing perception that Nigeria was sliding away from being a united country.
A statement credited to Soludo and Utomi reads:
“We are a delegation of Nzuko Umunna, a pan-Igbo group,” he said.
”We visited Nnamdi Kanu to hear his own point of view as well as share our own point of view with him.
“We believe that Nigeria has the potential to be great, and like most countries has its own challenges.
“Nigeria has never been more divided than now. Most discerning patriots have come to the conclusion that Nigeria as currently structured is destined to be a failed state.
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“It is our considered view that most of the agitation is in response to a looting elite. We do not condone violence.
“We note that in 2015 Nigerians voted for change. As the ruling party, the APC has it a duty to deliver to the Nigerian people.
“So far, APC seems to have abandoned its cardinal duty to Nigeria. We are in a state of emergency at all levels.
”We demand the urgent release of Nnamdi Kanu, and his colleagues as part of the process of engineering a new Nigeria.
“No citizen of Nigeria deserves the treatment that is being meted to Nnamdi Kanu and his colleagues. Nnamdi Kanu is not above the law, and he should not be put below the law.”
The call by Nzuko Umunna comes on the heels of another by the new leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by Nnia Nwodo.
Amnesty International estimates that about 150 members of IPOB had been killed by agents of the Nigerian State. This has been denied.
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Animashaun Ayodeji
March 1, 2017 at 7:45 am
These people are silly for saying this government has drifted away from its main focus. “So far, APC seems to have abandoned its cardinal duty to Nigeria. We are in a state of emergency at all levels,” this big lie because they want their criminal Kanu freed? They should try again later.
Roland Uchendu Pele
March 1, 2017 at 9:26 am
Your dislike for Kanu is obviously coming from your depth in inter-ethnic rivalry. How you are able to refer to someone who is calling for the freedom of his people a criminal is something that needs to be checked.
Mr. Ayodeji, please, visit a psychiatric clinic as soon as possible.
Johnson Amadi
March 1, 2017 at 8:03 am
Nnamdi Kanu has done nothing to this useless Nigeria. He has the right to fight for the right of his people and that is what he’s doing, if the federal government think they can keep him quiet by detaining him, it’s a very big lie, we the BIAFRANS don’t give up.
seyi jelili
March 1, 2017 at 4:12 pm
Foolish talk. Kanu is in the prison, you are at the comfort of your house enjoying isi ewu. Why can’t you go join him in the prison if truly you biafrans don’t give up.
Oso
March 2, 2017 at 1:13 pm
Mandela stay in the prison when fighting for the freedom of South Africa, while others were in their houses eating and drinking. All Biafrans cannot go to prison for freedom, but God will use one person to do that, and that’s what is happening Seyi. Let me remind you there so many things you don’t what is behind them. Thanks
JOHNSON PETER
March 1, 2017 at 4:52 pm
For me, kanu has learnt his lesson but on the other hand, the government is going too far on kanu ‘s matter. By now, they should have free him so unity can reign and all these agitation and unrest can cease from the south east.
Obi Chinonso
March 1, 2017 at 5:17 pm
I wonder how people could be so deep in hatred for no reason at all. Now let me ask:
How does asking for the freedom of your own people become criminal?
How come you care so much about the intended suffering the Biafrans are about to put themselves if they separate from Nigeria.?
Is Nnamdi Kanu responsible for the bad economy we are suffering now?
Is he bombing anywhere like bokoharam?
Is he kidnapping anybody?
If his idea to separate from Nigeria going to affect your life, your finances, your family or even your feeding?
Just tell me one area his call is affecting you as a Yoruba person, Northern person or even some of our southern brothers. Just reply me plz
yanju omotodun
March 1, 2017 at 6:25 pm
All your answers are no but you don’t get involve in a treasonable felony charges answers it all.