….Says South East leaders’ requests are extremely difficult demand
President Muhammadu Buhari has described as a tough demand, the unconditional release being south for Nnamdi Kanu,the Leader of the Independent People’s of Biafra,IPOB now being held in captivity.
But he said he will consider the request.
He told a group of senior South East leaders led by First Republic Minister and Parliamentarian Mbazulike Amaechi that an unconditional release of the agitator who is the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), runs contrary to the doctrine of separation of powers.
The President stated this conditions when he received the group under the aegis of Highly Respected Igbo Greats, led Amaechi at State House, Abuja on Friday.
He told the 93-year-old statesman, “You’ve made an extremely difficult demand on me as leader of this country. The implication of your request is very serious. In the last six years, since I became President, nobody would say I have confronted or interfered in the work of the Judiciary. God has spared you, and given you a clear head at this age, with very sharp memory. A lot of people half your age are confused already. But the demand you made is heavy. I will consider it.”
The President said when Kanu jumped bail and arrested, brought back to the country, the best thing was to subject him to the system. He said, “Let him make his case in court, instead of giving very negative impressions of the country from outside. I feel it’s even a favour to give him that opportunity.”
Responding, the elder statesman described the situation in the South-East as “painful and pathetic,” just as he lamented that businesses have collapsed, education is crumbling, and there is fear everywhere.
He pleaded for a political, rather than military solution, requesting that if Kanu was released to him as the only First Republic Minister still alive, “he would no longer say the things he had been saying,” stressing that he could control him, “not because I have anything to do with them (IPOB), but I am highly respected in Igbo land today.”
Chief Amaechi said twice he had interfaced with Nnamdi Kanu in the past, and the latter rescinded orders earlier given on civil disobedience.
He concluded: “I don’t want to leave this planet without peace returning to my country. I believe in one big, united Nigeria, a force in Africa. Mr. President, I want you to be remembered as a person who saw Nigeria burning, and you quenched the fire.”
Nnamdi Kanu in court
Other people in the visiting delegation were; His Excellency Chukwuemeka Ezeife, former Governor of Anambra State, Bishop Sunday Onuoha of the Methodist Church, Chief Barrister Goddy Uwazurike, former President of Igbo socio-cultural group, Aka Ikenga, and Mr. Tagbo Mbazulike Amaechi.
