Ohanaeze Reacts As Buhari Vows Not To Release Nnamdi Kanu

Apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has reacted to President Muhammadu Buhari’s dismissal of the plea to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

In an interview with Channels Television aired on Wednesday night, Buhari asked Kanu to defend himself in court for spreading false information about Nigeria when he was in the United Kingdom.

The president insisted that he would not interfere in any judicial process relating to the pro-Biafra agitator, thereby shattering the hope of some individuals calling for Kanu’s release.

Recall that a former Minister of Aviation, Mbazulike Amaechi, had led some Igbo leaders to visit the President for the unconditional release of the IPOB leader on November 19, 2021.

Buhari had during the visit told the delegation that he would not want to interfere in the running of the judiciary but said he would consider their ‘heavy’ demand.

Reacting to the new development, Ohanaeze spokesman, Chief Alex Ogbonnia, said the organisation will meet with the President to get a clear understanding of his statement.

He insisted that a political solution remains the only way to Kanu’s issue, asking the president to reconsider his new stance on the IPOB leader.

Ogbonnia expressed confidence that the President will understand Kanu’s case more by the time the group will meet with him soon.

He said: “Ohanaeze position is very clear and constant. We have looked at the whole scenario and we are convinced that Nnamdi Kanu’s case and IPOB can only be solved through a political solution.

“It is unfortunate that the Presidency or the president hasn’t appreciated the Ohanaeze position and by extension the Igbo position or the Igbo leadership position on this matter.

“But we are very confident that by the time we will meet him early this year he will understand it more.”