Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The traditional ruler of Afaraukwu Autonomous Community in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, HRH Eze Amaechi Ugwejeh, along with members of his cabinet, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grant presidential pardon to their son and leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
In an open letter to the President, Eze Ugwejeh said Kanu’s conviction and life sentence had deeply affected the community, prompting their plea for his release as a step toward easing tension in the South East.
According to the monarch, a presidential pardon for Kanu would not only promote peace in the region but also advance national reconciliation and unity.
The letter read in part: “I, Eze Amaechi Kelvin Ugwejeh, and the Elders, Ichies, and members of my Cabinet of Afaraukwu Autonomous Community, Umuahia North LGA, the very hometown of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), bring you greetings with profound humility and write as follows:
“We address you today not merely as subjects of a kingdom, but as fathers, mothers, and concerned citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who have borne the weight of the events of the past several years.
“We acknowledge the recent judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which convicted our son, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. We respect the judiciary and the rule of law upon which our democracy is built. The conviction and life sentence passed on our son is a painful and significant moment for his family and our community.
“However, Mr President, we humbly plead that you use your good office to exercise clemency on Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. He is your son.
“We are deeply sorry for everything, but we appeal to you to invoke your powers of executive clemency and temper justice with mercy.”
