Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the youth wing of the main Igbo socio-cultural group, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to order Mazi Nnamdi Kanu's release as a new year's present to Ndigbo.
Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, President-General of the Ohanaeze Youth Council Worldwide, issued the request in a statement.
According to the DAILY POST, Buhari ruled out the idea of a political solution to Kanu's freedom last week. He had already informed a delegation of Igbo leaders that he would investigate Kanu's case.
Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been detained for weeks following his re-arrest in Kenya, a circumstance that has heightened tensions in the region.
He is scheduled to appear in court tomorrow, Tuesday, where his lawyers will make additional bail arguments.
Okwu urged President Buhari to reconsider his tough attitude on the IPOB leader's incarceration in a message made accessible to DAILY POST on Monday.
"As a parent, the President should not be bowing to the counsel of a few people who are not in the best interests of the country," the Ohanaeze leader said.
"Since Nnamdi Kanu's re-arrest and confinement, we have all witnessed the agitation that has engulfed the South-East zone. The detention has only made problems worse, which is why we are pleading with Mr. President to free him immediately and unconditionally.
"Recall that the use of force in the Niger-Delta region never worked until late President Yar'adua brought in amnesty and restored peace." Mr. President should take note of this and dismiss those who argue that Kanu should not be released.
"The best New Year's gift he can give Ndigbo is to accept a political solution to Kanu's situation," Okwu said.
He did, however, warn the IPOB leadership to toe the line of peace and refrain from making any additional incendiary pronouncements.
"They should stop making statements that aggravate the situation, they should give peace a chance, and they should not let the ongoing negotiations go to waste." "All forms of stay-at-home must come to an end," he suggested.
He urged the South-East caucus in the National Assembly, as well as other Igbo leaders, to keep working to secure Kanu's liberation.
-dailypost.ng
