Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Isiama Afaraukwu Autonomous Community in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, has celebrated this year’s new yam festival in low key to protest the continued detention of her son and Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The traditional ruler of the community, HRH Eze Amaechi Kelvin Ugwueje, who disclosed this to newsmen in his palace, said the community did not consider it wise to embark on celebration galore while Kanu, a Prince in the community is still under incarceration.
Eze Ugwueje succeeded Kanu’s late father, HRM Eze Israel Kanu, who died with the wife after the invasion of his palace by security agencies in 2017.
The family had blamed the parents’ death on the trauma of the military raid of the palace.
Eze Ugwueje said that the community “is still in mourning mood” over the continued detention of Kanu who he described as their hero and illustrious son.”
“We cannot be celebrating while our son is languishing in detention,” the monarch groaned.
Kanu has remained in a solitary confinement at the Abuja headquarters of the Department of State Services, DSS, since his extraordinary rendition from Kenya in June 2021.
Despite growing appeals and court judgments including United Nations Opinion for his “immediate and unconditional release,” the Federal Government has refused to let him off the hook.
The monarch said: “Actually, this should be the second year of our community celebrating our annual festival under low key without the usual fanfare. My people aren’t happy that their son who also is a Prince of the community is still in detention.
Eze Ugwueje who regretted that his earlier pleas to former President Muhammadu Buhari to release Kanu were ignored, urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to graciously free the IPOB Leader as a sign of his love for Ndigbo.
He said Kanu’s release would help restore peace in the South-East.
“I am using this medium in pleading with President Ahmed Tinubu to consider using his Executive powers in releasing our son to us.”
The traditional ruler, however, thanked those who have been making efforts towards Kanu’s release, and urged them not to relent.
He called on those using Kanu’s continued detention to cause insecurity in the South-East to desist from such acts which, he argued, are at variance with Kanu’s values.
“I know him very well from his family upbringing, and I know his mind. He is not violent and nobody should create insecurity using his detention as excuse.”
Meanwhile, the monarch who had earlier with his wife and members of cabinet, visited Isiama village at Umuobasiukwu Town Hall, commended his subjects for their peaceful disposition during the new yam festival.
He said that contrary to some opinions in some quarters, new yam festival is not fetish but a period of gratitude to God for bountiful harvest of yam.
According to the monarch, new yam festival helps to promote unity and culture of the people.
