Jewish worshippers in S’East, S’South plead for Kanu’s release

From Okey Sampson, Umuahia

Jewish worshippers in the Southeast and parts of South South regions have pleaded with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to have the political will and release Nnamdi Kanu from prolonged detention.

They made the plea at the home of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) at Isiama Afaraukwu, Umuahia, Abia State after a prayer and fasting session and peaceful solidarity rally.

The Jewish worshippers equally urged Abia Governor, Alex Otti to rally his brother governors in Southeast to plead with Mr. President to release Kanu.

Delegations of Eastern Judaism and various Jewish communities from Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, and Rivers states gathered at Kanu’s home at the weekend, where they joined their host congregation to pray for Kanu’s freedom and good health.

Speaking at the rally, leaders of the Jewish communities in unison demanded for Kanu’s freedom, saying that he has not done any wrong to be clamped into detention and charged with treason.

Deputy National Rabbi, Rabbi Okezie Anosike, said there was no reason for Kanu to be in detention because “what he is demanding is not different from what Sunday Igboho is demanding for the Yoruba nation, and yet he is free.  We ask President Tinubu to set Kanu free. We ask Governor Otti to do all in his power to bring freedom to Kanu,” he said.

Ofuji Ekhad, leader of the Anambra delegation, questioned why Kanu’s case “should be different from others” who demanded sovereign states for their own people, especially in the South West.

 “There is nothing abnormal in Kanu’s demand for the sovereign state of Biafra, self-determination is a universally recognised right.

Elder Shahum Ogu from Imo State urged “all political leaders, connected in one way or the other with Kanu’s travails to please have a change of heart and work for his release.”

He described Kanu as “a prophet, a messenger of God, who advocates for justice, equity, and people’s rights,” adding that President Tinubu has nothing to lose by setting him free.