The Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has threatened to boycott the 2023 general elections should President Muhammadu Buhari-led government fail to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
Recall that the Biafra agitator is currently facing charges bordering on treasonable felony instituted against him at the Federal High Court, Abuja, by the Nigerian Government.
It could be recalled that Kanu was granted bail in April 2017 over health conditions but skipped bail after flouting some of the conditions given to him by the court.
He was, however, rearrested and forcefully repatriated to Nigeria in June 2021.
Speaking, however, in a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday, January 1, 2022, Secretary-General Ohanaeze, Okechukwu Isiguzoro urged President Buhari to release Kanu so that peace, security, and stability can return to South-East Nigeria.
Ohanaeze noted that releasing the separatist will help to obliterate the negative impression of Nigeria in the eyes of the international community.
It added that Nnamdi Kanu’s freedom will restore the dignity of Nigeria, and re-admit her amongst the commit of nations.
The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari should release Nnamdi Kanu in 2022 to authorise peace, security, and stability to return to southeastern Nigeria.
According to Ohanaeze, “There is no way else to explain the entire needless drama that has continued to plague the Nnamdi Kanu’s trial.
“We have never seen where any such restrictions were placed during the trial of anyone in Nigeria.
“But here we are, the Federal Government is doing everything to offend the sensibilities of Ndigbo.
“They have been hell bent on launching a full scale war in the South-East and the window is gradually opening. The idea is to provoke the Igbo youths, and once they react, government will find reason to unleash full military might on the South-East and commit another genocide.
“The continuous incarceration of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the deliberate attempt to delay his trial is totally unacceptable. To this end, we are for the umpteenth time calling for his unconditional release.
“But if he’s not released in 2022 as being championed by Northern leadership (Arewa Consultative Forum and Northern Elders Forum), there will be no 2023 elections in Eastern Nigeria with the evidence of sit-at-homes in the East and it will deteriorate the security challenges of Southern Nigeria.
“Buhari cannot shy away from releasing Nnamdi Kanu, it will help to obliterate the negative impression of Nigeria in the eyes of the international community, and restore the dignity of Nigeria, and re-admit her amongst the commit of nations.
“In 2023, we are committed to a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction as a result of addressing the equity, fairness and obeying the agreement of rotational presidency reached by Nigeria’s patriots in 1999, which has helped to stabilise the country.
“It will be unwise to scuttle it now it favours Ndigbo, we will commence the political journey of 2023 with persuasive visits to all the geopolitical zones of the country by January 13, 2023.
“But in the case of conspiracy, sabotage, and denial of Igbo the 2023 presidential tickets in APC and PDP, both the conspirators and saboteurs will only be available for the doomsday and may not superintendent the affairs of the country in 2023, as secessionist groups will be strengthened and unified by the evidence of political neglect, marginalisation, and enslavement of Eastern Nigeria.”
