Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The United Igbo Elders Council (UNIEC) Worldwide, has appeal to the Federal Government to set free Nnamdi Kanu, as New Year gift to Ndigbo and Nigerians.
The group made the appeal in a New Year message jointly signed by its Director-General, Justice Alpha Ikpeama and the Director, Media and Publicity, Prof. Obasi Igwe, on Wednesday in Enugu.
The statement also called for the release, exoneration and rehabilitation of Kanu, his colleagues, and other political prisoners in Nigeria.
According to the message, there should be no appearance of plea bargain or special conditions imposed on Kanu for his release, but should be freed together with others unconditionally.
“The Federal Government should be considerate to those expressing legitimate opinions on the direction and future of the country, which was what Kanu and his likes were doing,” the statement said.
The group added that the release of Kanu and other political prisoners would put a stop to the cruel narrative that there is “war” in the East because people were fighting for his release.
“Our distinguished President can show a difference by releasing this noble man as a New Year gift to fair-minded Nigerians and gesture to the Igbo nation and by so doing, eliminate the insecurity in the region.
“We also take the opportunity to bring the attention of Mr President to the plight of possibly millions of other Nigerians languishing in various police, military, DSS, and other government dungeons, sometimes endlessly “awaiting trials” that never come in countless countries of the world.
“Most of them framed for crimes they never committed, others with sentences not in alignment with the offences accused of, while others are victims of a Nigerian system suffering and frustrating their children into criminality.
“We appeal for government investigation and engagement with various countries to free or repatriate these forgotten talents to the country, and preempt their further kangaroo court arraignments and “brief illness” deaths or executions on trumped-up charges,” the statement said.
The statement further appealed to the Federal Government for prompt attention to address Igbo needs such as the dredging, deepening and broadening of the Bonny to Port Harcourt, and Azumini to Opobo traditional sea lanes that pre-existed the amalgamation.
“Igbo elders are 100 per cent certain that lifting the ports and economic blockade and a functional restoration of the three coastal ports to the Igbo and other Easterners is the singular act that would return the Igbo to economic health and prosperity,” the statement said.
It also call for the creation of Anioma State as an equalisation state for the Igbos so as to bring the region at par with other zones in the country.
