By Gideon Njoku
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that to release the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, is a difficult request to make from him.
He said it would run contrary to his policy, and his belief in the separation of powers, especially, as he does not interfere with the Judiciary. It is a heavy request, the President said.
But the President said it is a request he would consider.
The President spoke when he received a group of Igbo leaders who visited him Friday in the Villa apparently to discuss the insecurity in the South-east, and flowing from that, the release and of Nnamdi Kanu from the custody of the Federal Government, and the discontinuation of his prosecution at the Federal High Court Abuja.
The delegation was incidentally led by elder Statesman Mbazulike Amaechi, a former Minister for Aviation. It is not known why the delegation did not go under the auspices of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and/or why Professor George Obiozor, President of Ohanaeze was not part of it.
No Governor from the South-east was part of it, too. But three Ministers from the Zone were present – Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, Dr Chris Ngige and Barr. Emeka Nwajiuba.
On the request for Kanu’s release, Buhari said that his thinking is that it should go through the legal process as he does not interfere. But he told the delegation that heavy as the request is, he would consider it.
A couple of weeks ago, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, had said that FG could be open to a political solution to the cases against Kanu and Yoruba
Nation agitator, Sunday Igboho, who is in the custody of Security Agents in the Republic of Benin.
Following is the statement by Femi Adesina, Presidential Spokesman on the visit of the Igbo Leaders to the President.
PRESIDENT BUHARI TO IGBO LEADERS: YOUR DEMAND FOR NNAMDI KANU’S RELEASE IS HEAVY. I WILL CONSIDER IT
An unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), currently standing trial, runs contrary to the doctrine of separation of powers between the Executive and Judiciary, President Muhammadu Buhari has said.
Receiving a group under the aegis of Highly Respected Igbo Greats, led by First Republic parliamentarian and Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, at State House, Abuja, the President told the 93-year-old statesman:
“You’ve made an extremely difficult demand on me as leader of this country. The implication of your request is very serious. In the last six years, since I became President, nobody would say I have confronted or interfered in the work of the Judiciary. God has spared you, and given you a clear head at this age, with very sharp memory. A lot of people half your age are confused already. But the demand you made is heavy. I will consider it.”
Stressing his policy of non-interference with the Judiciary, President Buhari said when Kanu jumped bail, got arrested and brought back to the country, “I said the best thing was to subject him to the system. Let him make his case in court, instead of giving very negative impressions of the country from outside. I feel it’s even a favour to give him that opportunity.”
The President condoled with Chief Amaechi, who recently buried his wife, praying that her soul would rest in peace.
The nonagenarian had described the situation in the Southeast as “painful and pathetic,” lamenting that businesses have collapsed, education is crumbling, and there is fear everywhere.
He pleaded for a political, rather than military solution, requesting that if Kanu was released to him as the only First Republic Minister still alive, “he would no longer say the things he had been saying,” stressing that he could control him, “not because I have anything to do with them (IPOB), but I am highly respected in Igbo land today.”
Chief Amaechi said twice he had interfaced with Nnamdi Kanu in the past, and the latter rescinded orders earlier given on civil disobedience.
He concluded: “I don’t want to leave this planet without peace returning to my country. I believe in one big, united Nigeria, a force in Africa. Mr President, I want you to be remembered as a person who saw Nigeria burning, and you quenched the fire.”
Other people in the visiting delegation were : His Excellency Chukwuemeka Ezeife, former Governor of Anambra State, Bishop Sunday Onuoha of the Methodist Church, Chief Barrister Goddy Uwazurike, former President of Igbo socio-cultural group, Aka Ikenga, and Mr Tagbo Mbazulike Amaechi.
This magazine was told that Mbazulike was instrumental to IPOB calling off its one week sit-at-home order prior to the Anambra election.
