Release Nnamdi Kanu, Obidigbo advises President Tinubu

Elder statesman and President of Osisioma Foundation, Dr. Chike Obidigbo, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to authorize immediate unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention to begin the process of national renewal.

He disclosed 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.

Obidigbo advised President Tinubu to discontinue his promise to continue in the steps of former President Muhammadu Buhari, noting that Buhari’s tactics were 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. He stressed 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.