In a statement, the National Coordinator of HURIWA, Emmanuel Onwubiko, emphasised the importance of constructive discussion and the non-use of force by security services against separatists for the conduct of peaceful elections in February and March.
The group further asserted that it is insincere for the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to continue to imprison Kanu in the custody of the Department of State Services after the appellate court discharged and cleared him of terrorism charges.
HURIWA also demanded that Buhari justify the "African Award for Strengthening Peace" he will receive on Tuesday in Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania.
Over the weekend, Governor Soludo made an impassioned plea to the Federal Government to unconditionally free the IPOB leader.
Similarly, Senate Chief Whip and former Governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu, recently stated that he would serve as a surety for Kanu and requested the Federal Government to release the leader of IPOB directly to him.
Many prominent Igbo sons and daughters, including esteemed leaders of the apex Igbo sociopolitical organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, such as former Anambra State Governor Chukwuemeka Ezeife, amongst others, have made similar requests to the President to free Kanu. In reality, many of these individuals have met privately with the President to discuss Kanu's release.
However, despite the pleadings of the sons from the South-East, the President has refused to allow the court to decide Kanu's fate, breaking his commitment.
A Court of Appeal in Abuja acquitted Kanu of terrorist charges on October 13, 2022, but the Federal Government appealed the verdict, and the court allowed the government's plea to halt the execution of the judgement freeing the leader of the IPOB.
HURIWA's Onwubiko stated, "President Muhammadu Buhari should not ignore the rising calls by well-meaning South-East leaders for Nnamdi Kanu's release amid a rising state of insecurity and targeted attacks in the South-East, especially as he prepares for a quiet retirement where he should prepare his credentials as a Statesman and not a regional bigot of the North of Nigeria.
"We urge President Buhari to heed the voice of reason and release Kanu immediately in order to end the heightened threats to the lives and property of South-East citizens and to pave the way for constructive dialogues leading to peaceful elections throughout Nigeria, and especially in the South-East.
"Kanu must be released immediately because it is false to get a peace prize while this government's harsh stance and military operations in the South-East intensified bloodshed in the South-East.
"It is ironic that the President will get a peace prize in Mauritania while the entire country of Nigeria is in turmoil from north to south.
(Source: dailypost.ng)
