Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Ohanaeze Ndigbo has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grant a presidential pardon to the convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, arguing that a political solution remains the only viable means of resolving his matter.
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation also expressed concern over the low level of voter registration and poor statistics emerging from the South-East in the ongoing Permanent Voter Registration (PVR) exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Abia State chapter, Dr Chukwuemeka Okwuonu, made the remarks while addressing a press conference in Umuahia after an enlarged State Executive meeting of the organisation. He described the voter registration figures from the South-East, based on INEC statistics, as “not encouraging.”
Dr Okwuonu said the situation was disturbing and called on eligible voters in the South-East who do not yet have Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to take advantage of the ongoing exercise and register.
He said: “Statistics from INEC show that our people are not participating effectively in the ongoing voter registration exercise. We are using this opportunity to remind our people that it is their civic responsibility to vote during elections, and they should get registered now to enable them to participate.”
On Nnamdi Kanu, Ohanaeze reiterated that a political solution was the only way to resolve the issue and urged the President to consider the appeals.
The organisation argued that if the President, in the exercise of his prerogative of mercy, had granted pardon to known criminals, including bandits and drug traffickers, extending a similar gesture to a freedom fighter should not be difficult.
Dr Okwuonu recalled the efforts of Ohanaeze, other organisations, and individuals to have Kanu’s matter resolved politically while his trial was ongoing, and urged President Tinubu to intervene now that the IPOB leader has been convicted.
“Having been convicted, we are still pressing that he should be granted a pardon. If people who committed heinous crimes in this country—drug barons, bandits and others—were granted pardon, a man who only used the microphone without a gun can also be granted pardon.
“So, we plead with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grant a presidential pardon to Nnamdi Kanu. We need him out of prison for peace to return to our land,” he said.
Dr Okwuonu restated the commitment of Ohanaeze to defending the Igbo cause and promoting Igbo language and culture.
On the issue of insecurity, Ohanaeze urged communities to strengthen their local vigilante groups to ensure the safety of residents and visitors, especially during the Yuletide.
He commended Governor Alex Otti for what he described as his spirited efforts in combating insecurity, noting that “Abia is safe and secure.”
Okwuonu also praised the governor for his developmental strides in the state and for making Igbo language a compulsory subject in all primary and secondary schools in Abia.
“We thank the governor for making Abia safe and a preferred destination for investors through massive infrastructural development,” he said.
Emphasising the role of language in preserving cultural identity, Ohanaeze urged Ndigbo to promote and take pride in their mother tongue.
Dr Okwuonu disclosed that the Abia State leadership of Ohanaeze had concluded its tour of local government areas in the state, during which it sensitised communities on the need for Igbo unity.
He said the organisation, in collaboration with traditional rulers, was documenting the executives of various communities with the aim of educating the grassroots on the importance of Igbo unity.
Other members of the Abia State leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo present at the press conference included the Deputy President, Chika Ibeku; the Secretary, Innocent Adiele; and the Assistant Public Relations Officer, Chief Obinna Ibe, among others.
