Prof. Gregory Ibe, a recently appointed member of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Advisory Council, has pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the imprisoned leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, in response to several pleas from prominent Nigerians.
According to him, doing so would earn Buhari a spot in the Igbo Hall of Fame and serve as a parting gift to Ndigbo.
“Passionate Intercession For Compassionate Release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu” was the heading of a private letter written by Ibe in which the request was made.
Uturu, the founder of Gregory University, claimed that Ndigbo had been making contributions to Nigeria’s progress, but he also claimed that Kanu’s protracted arrest had compounded the Igbos’ long-standing disenchantment with how they are viewed or handled in Nigeria.
“While I acknowledge that there have been concerns regarding some of his actions, inactions and rhetoric, it is essential to remember that dialogue and engagement are preferable to protracted detention for addressing such issues.
“By releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, you have the chance to demonstrate magnanimity, statesmanship, and to cultivate an inclusive attitude among the Igbo people.
“It would demonstrate that, under your leadership, the Nigerian government values the concerns and aspirations of all its citizens, regardless of ethnicity”, Ibe said
He emphasized to President Buhari that Kanu’s release will advance national healing, rapprochement, and unity as Nigeria moves forward. He added that it would also aid in building a more powerful and prosperous Nigerian nation and address the rising agitation in some parts of the country.
He recounted how people like Asari Dokubo, Government Tompolo, and Sunday Igboho had merged and realigned themselves back to the societal mission of nation-building after being released from detention.
He claimed that they were now working to bring about peace in their areas and he pleaded with the outgoing President to free Kanu so that calm could return to the South-East.
