Religious and traditional leaders in the South-East region of Nigeria have asked the Federal Government to free the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
In a recent joint statement, the chairmen of the South-East Council of Traditional Rulers and the Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops said Kanu’s freedom would calm the rising tension in the region.
The leaders also requested that the Federal Government de-proscribe the IPOB and release all members of the group that are currently held in various detention facilities.
Also, the groups called on IPOB to ignore every scheduled sit-at-home order and not engage in any action that would affect the November 6 Governorship Election in Anambra State.
The statement read: “Flowing from similar initiatives taken to bring peace to other troubled parts of the country, we urge the Federal Government and other stakeholders to explore dialogue and negotiation in resolving critical issues that threaten national unity, cohesion, and development.
“We are of the firm belief that this act of courage and statesmanship is not only imperative but will speedily de-escalate the heightened state of insecurity and dislocation in the South East Zone.
“We call on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to demilitarize the South East Zone, more so as it has become apparent that a continued military siege on the region can only lead to heightened tension, skirmishes and endless bloodletting between the security agencies and our youths.”
The statement was signed by Igwe Charles Mkpuma (Ebonyi); Eze Joseph N. Nwabeke (Abia); Obi Nnaemeka Achebe (Anambra); Igwe Amb L. O. C. Agubuzu (Enugu), Dr. E. C. Okeke (Imo), Dr Anthony J. V. Obinna (Catholic Archbishop of Owerri); Dr Emmanuel O. Chukwuma, (Anglican Archbishop of Enugu); Dr Chibuzo R. Opoko (Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia); Dr Valerian M. Okeke (Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha); Dr Uma A. Onwunta (Past Principal Clerk Presbyterian Church Nigeria); Bishop Obi Onubogu (Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria) and Dr Abraham Nwali (Chairman, CAN, South-East Zone).
