Igbo groups, known as the Rising Sun Foundation and Ambassadors for Self Determination, have marked 30 months of the detention of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, with a renewed call for his unconditional release.
The groups in a statement commended President Bola Tinubu for showing signs of interest in dialogue towards releasing Kanu but pleaded with him to heed the growing calls for Kanu’s release.
Signatories to the statement include Maxwell Dede Emole, Dr Remy Okea, Evans Nwankwo, and Benjamin Nwankwo on behalf of Rising Sun Foundation Inc. USA, and Ambassadors For Self Determination.
They argued that if the Federal Government could discontinue the prosecution of other agitators like Sunday Igboho of the Yoruba Nation; Omoyele Sowore of the Revolution Now Movement; and even Bello Bodejo, the leader of the controversial Miyetti Allah Kyautal Hore; same gesture could be extended to the IPOB leader.
The groups advised Tinubu against selective justice by his predecessors, and break a jinx of freeing Kanu as already ordered by several courts.
They further argued that Kanu’s continued incarceration amounted to the detention of the entire Igbo people whose cause he was defending.
The statement read: “As long as Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu remains imprisoned, the entire Igbo nation is held captive. This reality cannot persist indefinitely.
“The call for his release is not just a plea for one man’s freedom; it is a rallying cry for the liberation of our entire people from systemic oppression and neglect. We must pray for Kanu’s health and safety, for the consequences of his continued detention could be dire for our collective future.”
Accusing South East political leaders of reluctance and non-committal in the efforts to free Kanu, the groups urged Tinubu not to be misled about the imperative of releasing Kanu.
They expressed concern over Kanu’s failing health and appealed to Tinubu not to allow Kanu to die in detention.
The statement further read:” The Rising Sun Foundation, alongside other conscientious and freedom-loving citizens of the Igbo nation and beyond, can no longer remain silent as our distinguished leader, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, endures the unbearable conditions of detention in Nigeria’s Directorate of State Security Services (DSS).
“As he marks 30 months of unjust incarceration, it is imperative that we amplify our voices against this blatant violation of his rights, especially in light of several court orders demanding his unconditional release.
“The Nigerian government, under President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, has recently shown signs of a potential shift toward dialogue regarding Kanu’s release.
“This is a notable contrast to the treatment of other political detainees such as Sunday Igboho of the Yoruba Nation, Omoyele Sowore of the Revolution Now movement, and even Bello Bodejo, the leader of the controversial Miyetti Allah Kyautal Hore.
“These figures have been released and their legal cases dismissed, raising serious questions about the selective application of justice in Nigeria.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu remains the sole political prisoner among them, a situation that is not only perplexing but also indicative of deeper systemic issues within the Nigerian political landscape.
Accuse South leaders of reluctance
“The reluctance of our political leaders-particularly the governors and those aligned with Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo-to advocate for Kanu’s freedom is deeply troubling. Their actions reflect a disheartening trend of prioritizing personal political ambitions over the collective welfare of the Igbo people.
“In public, they may call for his release, yet behind closed doors, they engage in negotiations that ensure his continued imprisonment. This duplicitous behaviour encapsulates the phrase “maramara n-ihu, gwampiti n’azu,” highlighting their tendency to play both sides for their gain.
“As we reflect on the last 30 months, we must recognize that time is of the essence. The world is transforming at a rapid pace, driven by technological advancements in the Internet and Artificial Intelligence, and we must not allow our people to be left behind.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s detention is not merely a personal tragedy; it represents a broader struggle for the Igbo nation’s identity and future. He has become a symbol of resistance against the marginalization and oppression that we, as a people, have faced for decades.
“The Igbo people are inherently peaceful and progressive. Yet, the hostile environment created by the Nigerian state has compelled us into a struggle for survival.
“It is a time that demands unity, the setting aside of selfish interests for the greater good of our community. This is not merely a matter of belief; it is an urgent reality that calls for collective action and sacrifice.
“Our quest for freedom resonates with the historical struggles faced by other oppressed groups around the world.
“Just as it took immense sacrifices for African Americans to secure their civil rights and for South Africans to dismantle the Apartheid regime, we, too, must be prepared to fight for our liberation-whether within the Nigerian state or as a self-determined entity.”
