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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to adopt a political solution that will lead to the release of Nnamdi Kanu as a major step to restore lasting peace in the South East Region of the country.
In a statement he personally signed in Abuja on Tuesday, Metuh also praised President Tinubu for his proactive stance and dedication to the South East’s peace, development, and stability. He also urged the president to put an end to the unrest in the area by enacting a political solution by freeing Kanu from prison.
The former spokesman for the opposition, who announced his departure from partisan politics two years ago, has been a vocal supporter of Kanu’s release and has made multiple presentations to President Muhammadu Buhari in this regard.
Metuh described President Tinubu as “a long-standing democrat and listening leader who deeply understands the sensibilities and nuances of all social segments of the country” and urged him to deploy his Pan Nigeria skills to engage and end the restiveness in the South East.
According to Metuh; “It is against this backdrop that I make this passionate plea to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to adopt a political solution that will lead to the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as a major step to restoring lasting peace in the South East Region of the country.
“President Tinubu has shown positive posture and commitment towards the peace, stability and development of the South East. I humbly urge him to further deploy his Pan Nigeria skills to engage and end the restiveness in the South East through a political solution that involves dialogue, understanding and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“The continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, waiting for a legal solution and use of military option or force as instituted by the last administration under President Buhari has not helped.
“Rather such options are worsening the situation as it opens the space for vicious interests who have hijacked the genuine and peaceful aspiration of the people to unleash violence, killing and harassment of innocent citizens, wanton destruction of property and dislocation of social and economic life in the region.
“Given the strategic position of the South East to national economy the unabated situation in the region has continued to exert grave negative social and economic consequences on the entire nation. President Tinubu can redefine the situation by adopting a political solution in the release of Nnamdi Kanu” the statement said.
He restated that the “Igbos are peace-loving, law-abiding, entrepreneurial and hardworking people but whose belief in justice, equity and fairness is largely misunderstood”.
He however urged the youth of the South East to shun all destructive tendencies and acts that tend to shut down local enterprise in the area and open the space for vicious anti-people interests to afflict the people.
Metuh charged the people of the South East to use Easter to pray for the release of “our brother and son, Nnamdi Kanu so that the region will experience a new beginning in the spirit of Easter.
