Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
American Military Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID), has accused Governor Hope Uzodimma of masterminding the continued detention of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The allegation was contained in an open letter to Uzodimma jointly signed by AVID President, Chief Sylvester Onyia; and Secretary, Dr Godson Obiagwu.
According to the letter entitled, “Your Excellency’s unimaginable hostility for Igbos and the need for change of mind,” dated April 14, AVID told Uzodimma to review his inimical stance on issues affecting Ndigbo.
They challenged the Governor to clear himself over the alleged engagement of Asari Dokubo’s men in Ebubeagu security outfit.
The letter claimed that insecurity had worsened in Imo State since the formation of Ebubeagu.
It further blamed the worsening insecurity in Igboland on Kanu’s continued detention, and wondered how Kanu’s plight would benefit the Governor.
AVID which accused Gov. Uzodimma of treating Igbo affairs with disdain, urged him to have a rethink.
The letter read in part: “We are American Military Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) who are currently serving or have served honorably in the United States Armed forces. We have observed with alarming shock the level of disdain and inglorious actions you exhibit against people of Igbo descents since you became the Governor in 2019, hence our collective decision to write you this open letter.
“Another worrisome show of contempt for Igbos is your deceitful and covert conspiracies against the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) since his infamous extraordinary rendition from Kenya into Nigeria in the year 2021 and the persecution that ensued.
“It has become obvious that you do not want Mazi Nnamdi Kanu released from the unlawful incarceration the Federal Government of Nigeria subjected him to.
“While we are aware that several meritorious applications had before now been made to the trial Federal High Court Judge for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on bail, we have come to the ugly realization that Your Excellency is behind the continual refusal of such bail applications.
“Your sinister and clandestine motives aimed at seeing that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu does not enjoy his constitutional right to bail is another show of hatred for the Igbos.
“You are aware that in so far as Mazi Nnamdi Kanu remains unlawfully detained in the Nigeria security service’s facilities, there would be no peace in Igboland and the spate of youth restiveness and violence would know no bounds.
“Do you care the negative impact of the Monday sit-at-home orders on Eastern Nigeria commerce and the lives that Igbos lose for any mistaken disobedience to such orders?
“Nigerians know how the infamous Operation Python Dance was planned and executed, and we do not know what profits you enjoy from these sinister arrangements against Igbo peace and cohesion.
“While we regret the entirety of your acts and deeds against Igbo nation and your secret vows to ensure that … rots in detention, we honestly believe that you can turn over a new leaf. It is never too late to return peace to Imo State in particular and it pays nobody that our youths are killed daily.
“But then, what records would you leave behind after your governance? Or do you think that nobody would remember what you did as Governor? We therefore, request that Your Excellency returns the Igbo spirit of ONYE AGHANA NWANNE YA (be your brother’s keeper) and work toward peace in Igboland.
“And howsoever Your Excellency does it is not material to us provided there is a return to peace and tranquility.
“We are very optimistic that Your Excellency would have a change of heart and work towards peace in Igboland. A stich in Time Saves Nine, they say.”
The veterans expressed worry over the spate of killings in Imo State, and urged the Governor to rise to the occasion as the Chief Security Officer of the state.
“Your Excellency, the wave of wanton killings and loss of lives in Imo State is really astronomical. You are the Chief Security Officer of Imo State.
“Since you deceptively brought in Alh. Mujahid Asari Dokubo’s (men) into Imo State in the guise of EBUBEAGU, Imo State has not known peace and we do not know your reasons … other than your open disdain for the Igbos and the people of Imo State in particular.
“Ordinarily, Ebubeagu is supposed to be a security outfit with specific objectives of securing lives and properties in Igboland against external forces but Your Excellency decided to use Asari’s men.
“Do you really bother how many lives Imo people have lost under your governance? Do not think that no one knows what antics you deployed … for your political gains? It really does not matter who currently occupies Douglas House as Governor. Governance is a continuum.
“We have had several Governors in Imo State since the country’s return to democracy in the year 1999 and no Governor has such records … like you. If we may ask: must everyone in Imo State belong to one political party or support you either as candidate or governor?
“It really does not matter how you see it, but what is important is that the world knows what is going on in Imo State.”
When contacted, Governor Uzodimma denied any responsibility in Kanu’s ordeals, dismissing the allegations as “false and baseless.”
The Governor who responded through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Oguwike Nwachukwu, said: “I think these your veterans or whatever they call themselves or you call them, have long lost touch with the reality back home.
“I think their view on both issues raised here is rubbish and lacks merit. The allegations are totally false, baseless, thoughtless and senseless.”
