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From Idu Jude Abuja
His Royal Majesty, Eze-Igwe Willy Ezugwu, former Secretary General of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), has added voice to the numerous appeals to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the immediate and unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to end the exploitations of external forces in the Southeast.
The monarch in an exclusive chat with The Sunday Sun, emphasized that this action is crucial for restoring peace and stability in the Southeast region.
He said, “In recent times, criminal elements have infiltrated the South East, masquerading as champions of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release, but with the intentions to destabilize the peaceful co-existence and economy of the region, and as you can see, their activities threaten the safety and well-being of our people.
“While the Court of Appeal in Abuja had ordered the release of Nnamdi Kanu, several individuals and groups have also expressed their support for his release.
“For instance, Yoruba nation activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has called on President Bola Tinubu to order the release of Nnamdi Kanu, Igboho also urged the Tinubu-led Federal Government to drop the treasonable charges against Kanu, since the court of law did not found him culpable.
“Nnamdi Kanu’s kinsmen, represented by the Ibeku Youth Association, have equally strongly advocated for his unconditional release.
“Additionally, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, has appealed to President Tinubu to officially withdraw all charges against Nnamdi Kanu, emphasizing that his release would contribute to restoring peace in the South East region and address prevailing security challenges in Nigeria.
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“In the same vein, the South East Governors, along with concerned citizens and federal lawmakers, have consistently called for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release, recognizing the need to address the underlying tensions. All these individuals and groups cannot be wrong in their quest for peace in our region”, he said.
Eze-Igwe Willy Ezugwu, who doubles as the Eze Ogbozarra III of Opi Ancient Kingdom and the Igwe of Ibagwa Opi Autonomous Community, acknowledged the complexities surrounding Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case but urged a compassionate, political, and pragmatic approach to the security situation in the South East region.
He underscored that “our region yearns for peace. We cannot allow misguided elements who are political stooges of external forces to exploit this situation and perpetuate violence in our land.
“The release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will be a significant step toward reconciliation and healing. And it is time to know what other reasons for the insecurity in the Southeast if Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is released.”
Significantly, the monarch also highlighted the economic and political marginalization faced by the Igbos and implored President Tinubu to intervene, emphasizing that giving the South Easterners a sense of belonging would minimise youth festiveness in the region.
“I recall that when late President Umaru Yar’Adua came to office, he departed from the use of the federal armed forces to tackle youth restiveness in the Niger Delta region and instituted the amnesty programme that minimized tension in the region. It paid off to date.
“The federal government should consider whatever option that could reduce the perception of economic and political marginalization in the South East region and Nigeria will be better for it”, he said.
His Royal Majesty therefore appealed to the government’s sense of justice and humanity, concluding that “releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will not only address the immediate crisis but also pave the way for dialogue and understanding because the South East deserves lasting peace, and it begins with compassion and reconciliation.”
