By Praise Chinecherem
Elderstatesman and President of Osisioma Foundation, Dr. Chike Obidigbo has urged President Bola Tinubu to authorize immediate unconditional release of leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention to begin the process of national renewal.
He argued that given the difficult situation of the country, the continued incarceration of the IPOB leader serves no useful purpose, stressing that although Kanu’s detention is impacting negatively on the Southeast economy, it is also affecting Nigeria’s socio-political stability.
The elder statesman advised President Tinubu to discontinue his promise to continue in the steps of former President Muhammadu Buhari, noting that Buhari’s tactics are not beneficial to the socio-economic survival of Nigeria.
While noting that the President is confronting so many challenges, most of which were caused by Buhari era, Obidigbo reminded Tinubu of an Igbo adage that says a man faced with many enemies should try rapprochement with some.
In a statement titled, “My final advice to my friend, Tinubu to free Nnamdi Kanu immediately and unconditionally”, Obidigbo remarked that Ndigbo need some form of appeasement, stressing that the bitterness on both divides is still gaining serious momentum as Ndigbo remains the underdogs.
He stated: “Only President Tinubu knows whether holding the IPOB leader is contained in Buhari’s handover notes. But, whatever reasons Buhari may have advanced, Tinubu as the incumbent should evaluate the details of such blind and hard-hearted disposition and use his good offices to review and release Kanu.
“As a concerned elder citizen, I know of a truth that the political situation of any developing country impinges on its economy, just as the peace, security and wellbeing of the citizens constitute the primary purpose of government.
“So, my final and well-intentioned advice to my friend and fellow elder statesman, Jabagan, is to release Kanu, if truly he desires to build a nation out of this so-called geographical expression known as Nigeria.
“Granted that President Tinubu declared his intention to continue with the policies of former President Buhari, including anti-people economic programmes, I believe that the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu remains counterproductive.”
While arguing that the prolonged “incarceration of Kanu is not serving any useful purpose,” Obidigbo declared that Biafra agitation has gone beyond Kanu and even Simon Ekpa.
He disclosed that Kanu appeared at time when the marginalization of Ndi-Igbo in Nigeria was taking a new dimension, remarking that Kanu started speaking out after seeing the plot to decimate the Igbo population.
“The former President always referred to the civil war, making it plausible that there was a plan to unleash another mayhem on Igbo. Kanu emerged and started showing evidence that Ndi-Igbo are not wanted in Nigeria and his message resonated with all well meaning Igbo except the few that were enjoying political benefits from the system.
“As things stand now, the Biafra agitation has become sweet music to the ears of young people. Kanu has fulfilled his divinely ordained purpose, which was to set the Biafra ball rolling down the cliff.
“Having successfully achieved that mission, it is crystal clear that Kanu no longer holds the key to quench the fire, or to stop the rolling boulder. As such, detaining him further seems like a drowning man clutching onto any straw.
“Even the more volatile Simon Ekpa cannot quench the Biafra agitation with the momentum it continues to gather,” he stated.
Obidigbo recalled that while some hardliners in Buhari’s administration tended to believe that holding Kanu was the best way to extinguish the agitation for Biafra, the reverse has become the case.
He added that the IPOB leader’s detention has continued to fuel insecurity amid vociferous demands by separatists in Southeast, saying that splinter groups are rising up daily to protest the continuing injustice against Ndi-Igbo.
The senior citizen said it is obvious that the economy and people of Southeast geopolitical zone continue to bleed from the prolonged detention of the IPOB leader.
He therefore expressed the hope that as a recognised democrat, the “President understands my points clearly, because I have spoken as an elder to another elder and friend.”
His words: “I advise President Tinubu to use his tongue to count his teeth. I am done with making request for the release of Kanu. But, let it be known that keeping the IPOB leader further will never usher in the much needed peace and national harmony.
“A decision must be taken at this juncture, whether the Igbo are still wanted in Nigeria or not. If the answer is in the affirmative, that is where Nnamdi Kanu becomes most valuable, because he is today’s harbinger of the Igbo spirit, rather than any of the current artificial Igbo socio-political leaders.”
The Osisioma Foundation Leader noted that as Kanu regains his freedom, the authorities should mellow further threats to Ekpa so as to douse the tension and initiate dialogue on the peace process.
“Outside of this, it will be very clear to all, particularly Ndi-Igbo that retired General Gowon’s ‘No-Victor-No-Vanquished’ slogan was actually programmed to be, an empty rhetoric, mischievously intended to deceive and to punish,” Obidigbo declared.
He condemned the nonchalant and self-serving posture of some Igbo leaders, demanding that the passive ignorance, apathy and nonchalance of Igbo elite should cease.
According to the Osisioma Foundation boss, “if Nigeria still wants Ndigbo to remain part of Nigeria and join in the national search for rebirth, the perceived official endorsement of continued mistreatment of Ndigbo must end immediately, starting with the release of MaziNnamdi Kanu.
“As a senior citizen and community leader that resides in Igboland, I make bold to say that the negative impact of sit-at-home on economic activities is huge, but Igbo do not care and may decide to go extra mile to show solidarity for Kanu.
“But, in the present circumstances, it is imperative that Kanu should be released because he has not committed any crime except advocating for a better lease of life for his people. His continued detention will not solve any problem, because the entire Igbo are tacitly behind him.
“A crime was committed against Kanu, because he was kidnapped from Kenya and kidnapping is a crime against humanity. So, President Tinubu should order his release to pave way for national conversation for national stability.
“Releasing Kanu should be a veritable way to begin conversations for peace-building in the country, because every Igbo adult is pained by nepotism and double standard against Ndi-Igbo. If we are no longer wanted in Nigeria, the President should endorse Igbo exit,” he added.
He reminded President Tinubu that as a democrat that joined the fight against military rule, he should remove his feet from all jackboot tendencies and evolve ways for conciliation and nation building to prevent Nigeria from falling apart under his watch.
