25th June, 2023
By Nimot Sulaimon
Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, on Sunday fired an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In the letter, Ekpa gave reasons for the immediate release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
He stressed that the health of Nnamdi Kanu has significantly deteriorated, hence the call for his release.
It reads in part, “We formally write to you on behalf of the Biafra People of South Eastern and part of South-South Nigeria. We wish to remind you that; Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who was illegally kidnapped from Kenya, extraordinarily renditioned to Nigeria against all international protocols, was arrayed before a court of competent jurisdiction in Nigeria. Who was absolved by the court of any wrongdoing known to any law was discharged and hence innocent according to the law of Nigeria. This same Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is still held captive in the DSS custody. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s health deteriorates daily, and he is not getting adequate medical attention.
“You must recall that as governor of Lagos State when you were cress- crossing Nigeria to establish your national reach, to enhance your national acceptability, you visited Abia state and His Royal Majesty Eze Israel Okwu Kanu, a first-rate Monarch in Abia State conferred on you a prestigious chieftaincy title in Abia State. The same HRM, Eze Israel Kanu, is the father of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Who you know is an innocent man, illegally held in captivity, is still the son of your friend HRM Eze Israel Okwu Kanu. In fairness thereof, we demand the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi from the DSS captivity from you.
“The indigenous people of Biafra, in their determination to exit the Nigeria state, decided to form a government in exile, called The Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE). The Indigenous People of Biafra Government in Exile is established to undertake the political and administrative governance of the Biafra nation from outside of Biafra territory.
“They undertake diplomatic and foreign relationships, arrangements and agreements, negotiations and pacts with other countries and interest organizations of the world on behalf of the Biafra People. They are to be accorded all diplomatic privileges as due to any government official of their respective level. Biafra people, through their government in exile, are sourcing for support from all nations of the world to assist in exiting Nigeria peacefully.
“The Biafra Republic Government In Exile conducted an election on April 8, 2023, and Mazi Simon Ekpa was elected as the Prime Minister, together with other Biafra Government in Exile officials. The BRGIE is legally registered with its Headquarters in the United States, State of Maryland is the host state.
“We in the Biafra Republic Government in Exile demand from you the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu because he is Innocent and on his health grounds”.