IPOB calls on FG to release Nnamdi Kanu

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has appealed to the Federal Government of Nigeria to free  detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra,( IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu, saying his continued detention is  unjust and unacceptable.

IPOB reached this resolution through a communique issued at the end of a two-day Ohanaeze Ndigbo Leadership Retreat held at the Landmark Hotel, Nike Lake, Enugu State.

The communique was jointly signed by the President General, Senator Azuta Mbata, his deputy and Chairman, Planning Committee, Prince Okey Nwadinobi, Secretary General, Emeka Sibeudu, and National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, on Tuesday.

Tagged:  “Rebuilding Our Foundation,” the retreat brought together prominent Igbo leaders and stakeholders from diverse sectors, including academia, religious and traditional institutions, organised private sector, town unions, youth and women groups, and the diaspora.

The chairman of the gathering, Obi of Onitsha, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe urged FG to work on releasing Nnamdi Kanu.

Enugu State governor, Dr Peter Mbah was not present at the occasion but was well represented by his deputy, Barrister Ifeanyi Ossai.

In one of its resolutions reached at the retreat, the body expressed dissatisfaction at the continued detention of Kanu.

“we unequivocally condemned in strong terms, the continuous detention of Nnamdi Kanu, whom before now has been acquitted by a court of competent jurisdiction.” The communique urged the federal government to “find an alternative solution to his matter and release him.”

The retreat preached  unity, economic revitalisation through investments in Igbo land, and cultural rebirth rooted in traditional values such as “Igwebuike (strength in unity), Onye aghala nwanne ya (leave no one behind), and Ako bu ije (wisdom is key to progress).”

Moreso at the retreat,  participants resolved to support the Professorial Endowment Chair in seven universities across all Ohanaeze states, a project aimed at promoting research in Igbo language, culture, and history.

Also as  part of resolution reached, Ohanaeze  announced plans to present its programmes and a draft constitution to Imeobi, its highest decision-making body.