The World Igbo Congress (WIC) has warned of possible consequences if Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), dies in custody.
Kanu was first arrested in 2015 and later granted bail in
2017.
In 2021, he was re-arrested and extradited from Kenya under
controversial circumstances.
The separatist is currently facing charges bordering on terrorism
and treasonable felony, with his continued detention by the Department of State
Services (DSS) contributing to palpable tension and unrest in the south-east
region.
Speaking on 90MinutesAfrica, a programme anchored by Rudolf
Okonkwo, on Sunday, Festus Okere, chairman of WIC, said the federal government
has ignored several appeals to release Kanu.
Okere described Kanu’s continued incarceration as “a slap on
Igbo people”.
“The greatest slap that Ndigbo has gotten from the Nigerian
government is the incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu,” he said.
“I don’t want to issue a warning to anybody, but if Nnamdi
Kanu dies in detention, only God knows what the consequences would be.
“We call on President Bola Tinubu to explore political
solutions to free Nnamdi Kanu, just as has been done for other Nigerians from
other ethnic groups.”
He added that the organisation is also working to revive the
leadership ideals of Michael Okpara, premier of the defunct eastern region.
“Dr. Okpara was a transformative leader. His era was
regarded as the golden era of the region. He was disciplined and never sought
to enrich himself,” Okere said.
Also speaking, Basil Onwukwe, WIC vice chairman, added that
the south-east must reject “bastardised leadership” and embrace leaders who
embody Okpara’s vision for industrialisation and regional development.
WIC was founded in 1994 as an umbrella organisation for
Igbos in the diaspora.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com