Buhari: I can't help Nnamdi Kanu, mum on Igbo Presidency

Buhari and Ebonyi governor Dave Umahi

Buhari and Ebonyi governor David Umahi

President Muhammadu Buhari has rejected the appeals by traditional, religious and political leaders in the South East for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The appeals were made by Chairman of South East Traditional Rulers, Eze Charles Mkpuma and CAN Chairman, South East, Very Rev. Fr. Abraham Nwali.

They asked the President to grant pardon and release the IPOB leader, urging other agitators to cease all forms of hostilities.

It was at a meeting on Friday in Abakaliki, between Buhari and the South East leaders.

In his response, Buhari said:

‘‘I have listened carefully to the various appeals from the elders to the traditional leaders regarding a wide range of options.

“And as I have said previously this matter remains in the full purview of the courts where it will be properly adjudicated”.

Buhari spoke at a meeting with Igbo leaders in Abakaliki.

‘‘My worry is for our hardworking and innocent civilians, for whom life is already tough and would like to earn a decent and honest living”.

‘‘There are many that fit this profile and the government owes them that obligation to protect lives and property.

‘‘I will once again repeat, no one has the right to carry an AK-47, and anyone seen in any part of the country doing so and is not a law enforcement officer is a threat to our peaceful coexistence and should be treated as such,’’ he said.

President Buhari did not respond to calls for an Igbo President in 2023, according to a statement shared by his media adviser, Femi Adesina

But he highlighted some of his government’s achievements in the region, dismissing those peddling false narratives of lack of care and consideration for the people of the South East by this administration

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The President said he was proud of the reconstruction of the runway of the Akanu Ibiam International airport and ongoing work upgrade of the International Terminal Building.

He gave the assurance that the N200 billion Second Niger Bridge and 10km six-lane expressway in Onitsha and Asaba will be completed before the end of the year.

He added that the $5.5 million Diagnostic Centre in Umuahia is already operational.

In his remarks, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi said President Buhari would be remembered as a man who did not use the plight of the people of the South East to play politics but came to their rescue severally.

The Governor urged Southern leaders to work towards finding a political solution in resolving some challenging issues, warning that the region is at ‘‘crossroads.’’

‘‘On this issue of a political solution, I have never believed in IPOB’s method of operation, I disagree with them but we have gotten ourselves to a very terrible and pitiable solution.

‘‘Some of us warned that we will get to this situation and some were playing politics with it.

“Mr. President, we are at crossroads. I have been to you and I have begged you for a political solution. Surprisingly and graciously you granted that. You said our people should initiate that and at the forefront is Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer.”

The Governor, therefore, urged the President of Ohaneze Ndigbo to meet with elder statesman, Mbazuluike Amaechi, the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), South East, the Chairman of South East Traditional Rulers Council, Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer and few others to initiate the political solution.

On the 2023 elections, the Governor said he believed strongly in the demand for the presidency to be zoned to the South East region on the basis of fairness, equity, justice and morality.

Umahi, who is also a presidential aspirant, commended some leaders from outside the region for expressing their support for the next president of Nigeria to emerge from the South East.

The Chairman of South East Traditional Rulers, Eze Charles Mkpuma and CAN Chairman, South East, Very Rev. Fr. Abraham Nwali, also spoke in favour of President of Nigeria of South East extraction come 2023.

The leaders expressed support for a united Nigeria.

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