Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday told Leaders of the South-East that the fate of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, would be decided by the courts.
He stated this during a meeting with leaders from the zone at the New Government House Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi State.
Mr. Buhari is in the state for a two-day working visit.
The President was reacting to a demand by leaders of the region who pleaded with him to grant amnesty to Kanu and other youths from the region in detention across the country.
They said they “are in dialogue with dissident groups in the region with a view to bringing them to a round table discussion that will ensure the return of peace in the region.”
Kanu has been in detention since last year after he was arrested by the Federal Government allegedly in Kenya and renditioned to Nigeria.
He is facing trial for alleged treasonable felony and terrorism allegations, which he continues to deny.
Since his arrest, the South-East has witnessed increasing spate of killings and attacks on security agents, government facilities and high-profile individuals.
The attacks have been blamed on IPOB by security agencies and the Federal Government but the group has continued to deny responsibility for the attacks.
Nevertheless, Leaders and residents of the region are of the view that releasing Kanu could go a long way in resolving the security quagmire in the region.
Leaders who spoke at the meeting include the Chairman of South-East Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Charles Mkpumai; South-East Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev Fr. Abraham Nwali; Ohanézè Ndígbo President-General, George Obiozor; and First Republic Minister, Mbazulike Amaechi.
In his address, Eze Mkpuma also called on President Buhari to support the call for a president of South-East extraction.
He said: “We plead with you Mr. President to grant the plea for the South-East to produce the next President of the country in 2023.
“We stand by you in all efforts towards the fight against insecurity in the South-East and the country in general. We, however, plead with you as a compassionate father to temper justice with mercy in the case of our son, Nnamdi Kanu.
“We have started dialogue to ensure that all those who feel aggrieved are brought to a roundtable discussion. We shall continue to support you and your administration. Do not listen to those advocating for interim government for they are inviting anarchy.
“We urge you to look inwards and build the rest administration around the South-easterner who has outstanding performance,” they said.
Mbazulike Amaechi pleaded with the President to help restore peace in the region.
“I want to see peace in this country before I join my ancestors, I want to see peace in the South-East particularly where there is upsurge of crisis and something that will lead to that peace is around the corner and we are asking you to give me the mandate and I will give you peace. I guarantee you this Mr. President.
“We say in Igboland that a mad man is owned by his people. If somebody was mad yesterday, and on guarantee of elders like me and other elders, I will bring him out and that is to get peace.
“Help us to get the peace and I will give you peace in this part of this country and also in Nigeria because I am a Nigerian, I took part in the struggle for the independence of this country”, he added.
CAN Chairman, Rev Fr. Abraham Nwali, while lamenting the crippling effect the insecurity in the region has had on the economy, pleaded with the president to adopt a political solution to tackle the menace.
He said: “As a body that is of genuine counsel, our country is currently challenged greatly by insecurity and societal conflict here and there with high level of poverty. A great number of our families are living in the fear of the unknown.
“As a father of our dear nation and South-East, we bring to your notice that the sit-at-home has crippled the economy of the South-East and banditry is engulfing the nation.
“Our society is growing by violence with a lot of youth restiveness. We know that you are doing your best to solve these problems, but we request kindly Your Excellency of more dialogue with all nationalists and more empowerment to the various security agencies to tackle this monster called insecurity.
“We request that you exercise the promotion of equity, fairness, and social justice by all institutions and political parties especially as we approach the year of transition.
“We plead for your political solution as a father, a loving father, a forgiving father to grant Nnamdi Kanu freedom. We pray that he be granted pardon as we call on all agitators to cease all forms of hostilities and other demands for a nation where the plight of the poor, the weak, the oppressed will be addressed.
He called for the zoning of the Presidency to the South-East and support of other regions to the call for a president of South-East extraction.
“History shall be kind to you and you will have the greatest ovation in the world if your administration can do that which all think will not be possible to assist for the emergence of a President of Nigeria of South-East extraction come 2023.
“It was done in South-West in 1999 and NADECO and other agitating groups ceased all hostilities. Agitations in the South-East will likewise disappear if you grant us that unique privilege,” Nwali said.
Ohanézè President-General, George Obiozor, represented by Ohaneze’s Deputy Legal Adviser, Peter Alike, requested for amnesty for all Igbo youths languishing in various detention facilities across the country.
Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, called on other regions to support a President of South-East extraction in 2023.
He recalled that Dr. Ogbonnaya Ọnụ, current Minister of Science and Technology, had in 1999 stepped down for a candidate from the South-West adding it is now time for other regions to extend same gesture to the South-East.
But Buhari in response said he holds the view that Mr. Kanu’s matter should be properly adjudicated in the law court.
He expressed concern at the worsening security situation in the region.
He said a few persons from the region have brainwashed and incited a segment of the population against the government.
Buhari declared anyone caught bearing arms especially AK-47 rifles and who is not a security official should be dealt with appropriately.
He said: “I must register my deep and grave concern with regards to the deteriorating state of affairs in this region.
“In the last 48 hours I have been informed of the latest in the round of brutal actions carried out by gun wielding terrorists who prey on innocent and hardworking citizens.
“Unfortunately, these barbaric acts were visited on those who have committed their lives to protecting the lives of fellow citizens.
“Terrorist who have unfortunately brainwashed a segment of the population that continued to contribute their hard-earned funds towards their hate filled messages but now have been terrorized through their brutal killings, truncation of commercial activities, restriction of freedom of movement, and the ability to exercise basic human rights must be fished out from amongst us and it can only be done through the support of the people.
“I have listened carefully to try various appeals from the Elders and Traditional Leaders regarding our wide range of options and as I have said previously, this matter remains in the full purview of the law court where it will be properly adjudicated.
“My worry is for our hardworking and innocent civilians for whom life is already tough and who would like to go out and wean a good and honest living. There are many that fit this profile and the government owe them that obligation to protect their lives and property.
“I will once again repeat, no one has the right to carry an AK-47 and anyone in any part of the country doing so and is not a law enforcement officer is a threat to our peaceful coexistence and should be treated as such,” Buhari said.
The President expressed his determination to ensure “free and fair elections in 2023 where every citizen will feel that their role in the electoral process counts and are able to practice their constitutional rights without fear or intimidation.”
