Nnamdi Kanu: Don’t Grant Igbo Leaders’ Request – Northern Elders Warn Buhari

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has warned President Muhammadu Buhari against granting the request of Igbo leaders who asked him to release and pardon Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

NEF in a statement on Monday by its spokesperson, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, claimed that releasing the IPOB leader would only heighten security issues in the southeast.

Naija News reports that there have been calls by Southeast governors, traditional rulers and leaders in the region on President Muhammadu Buhari to release the Biafra activist.

Some Igbo leaders had met with the President to ask for the release of Nnamdi Kanu and other pro-Biafra activists.

Buhari had during the meeting promised to consider their request, although he described what they are asking him to do as too ‘heavy’.

According the president, ordering the release of the IPOB leader would go against the doctrine of separation of powers as Nnamdi Kanu’s case is now before the judiciary.

NEF in its statement urged the President to allow the judiciary decide the fate of the pro-Biafra agitator.

According to the Northern Elders, there are no safe, constructive or informed grounds for granting the request by Igbo leaders.

They stated that Buhari will do serious injury to a country already threatened by multiple challenges to its security and territorial integrity.

On the proscription of bandit, NEF maintained that the federal government must give clarity to such declaration, stressing that many Fulanis are law abiding and do not engage in criminal acts.

statement reads: “The Forum noted a judicial decision to label bandits and kidnappers as terrorists, and recommends greater clarity in terms of the targets of this development. In any event, the Forum cautions against profiling and targeting all Fulani as terrorists.

“Millions of law-abiding Fulani exist who should be encouraged to stay on the side of the law, while those who have chosen to continue on the path of criminality should feel the full weight of the law.“