This is my final advice to you, release Nnamdu Kanu now – Obidigbo to Tinubu

President of Osisioma Foundation, Chike Obidigbo, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to authorise the immediate and unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), 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.

According to him, although Kanu’s detention is impacting negatively on the Southeast economy, it is also affecting Nigeria’s socio-political stability.

He 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.

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 sides is still gaining serious momentum as Ndigbo remain 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 for a fact 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 he truly 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 programs, 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.

“The former President always referred to the civil war, making it plausible that there was a plan to unleash another mayhem on the 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.

He therefore expressed the hope that as a recognized 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 requests 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.”

“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.

“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 the 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 the way for a 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.