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From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
Ahead of the planned protest by rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, to demand for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Ndigbo have been advised to shun any act that may expose them to unnecessary danger during the protest.
Addressing a World Press Conference yesterday in Awka, the Igbo Youth leaders and stakeholders expressed solidarity and support for the conveners of the planned October 20 peaceful protest to demand the release of Kanu, noting that they had been making the call for Kanu’s release for a long time now.
They called on Ndigbo, home and abroad, to ensure absolute and proper conduct of themselves so as not to fall victim of any unforeseen circumstances, insisting that Mazi Kanu would not want any innocent blood to be shed on his behalf.
The acting National Youth Leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, who spoke on behalf of the Igbo youth leaders, said they see the development as a national action against injustice, calling on other ethnic regions and all lovers of justice, to join the demand for Kanu’s unconditional release.
Commending the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the governors of Igbo extraction and other notable leaders and stakeholders, both dead and alive, for their commitment to the relative peace in South East, through their several calls for the release of Kanu, the Igbo youths urged them to sit up and do more on the matter, by putting more pressure on the Federal Government to take the needed action.
“With the establishment of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), we thought that the civil war is over, but with recent realities, we are convinced that the cold war is still on, ranging from social and economic sabotage to outright exclusion of Ndigbo from national privileges and benefits.
“We call on the Federal Government to extend its recent good disposition to Ndigbo by granting amnesty to the agitators and releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.This is in view of the fact that the Federal Government has not been able to convict him of the charges against him. We advocate for Kanu’s release as a political solution to the numerous security challenges in Ala Igbo,” Okpalaezeukwu said.
On his part, the National Vice President of the National Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ambassador Innocent Nduanya emphasised that the world press conference became imperative to remind the Igbo, especially the youths, of the need to be conscious and not allow themselves to be used to perpetrate any act that may cause chaos or violence.
“What we are saying is that people should participate but not constitute nuisance during the protest.
If you are sitting at home, do so in peace.
“A lot has been said about observing sit-at-home on that day, and we believe the Igbo are now wiser,” he added.
Also speaking, a former Senate President, National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), Mazi Chuks Okafor said the unconditional release of Kanu from detention holds the key to sustainable peace in the South East, calling on President Bola Tinubu to listen to the cries of the people and do the needful.
