Igbo elders storm Abia govt house, demand Kanu’s release *  As Igbo diasporan group decries killings in S’East

Igbo elders storm Abia govt house, demand Kanu’s release

*  As Igbo diaspora group decries killings in S’East

By Steve Oko

Igbo elders on Wednesday, stormed Abia Government House Umuahia to demand “the immediate and unconditional release” of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The elders who came from different states in the South East converged at the major entrance gate to the Government House where they conveyed their message to Gov. Alex Otti.

Addressing the Governor, Spokesman of the elders, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezebuiro, said they came to inform the Governor that Kanu’s continued incarceration was no longer tolerable.

He expressed worries over Kanu’s deteriorating health condition, and the disturbing insecurity in the South East.

The elders urged Otti to prevail on his fellow South East Governors to lead a delegation to President Ahmed Tinubu to press for Kanu’s release.

According to them, if South East Governors and other political elite were united in demanding Kanu’s release, the President will listen to them.

Arguing that Kanu’s continued detention is of no advantage to the Federal Government, Igbo elders insisted that political solution is the only way to resolve his matter.

Adding his voice, Chief Chinedu Obilor argued that if the Federal Government could dialogue with bandits, it would be much more beneficial to politically resolve Kanu’s matter.

Responding, Gov Otti commended the elders for their peaceful comportment, and promised to convey their message to the appropriate quarters.

The Governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Kenneth Kalu; and Chief of Staff, Calab Ajagba, urged the elders to remain peaceful, assuring that their grievances would be addressed.

Meanwhile, a diasporan Igbo group, Ikenga Think -Tank, North America, has decried the insecurity and “genocidal killings” of innocent folks in the South East.

The group in an open letter to South East Governors and Igbo leaders, called for immediate action to contain the troubling insecurity in South East.

In the open letter signed by its President, Dr Dunkwu Agbambu, the group accused Igbo political elite of silence over Kanu’s continued detention and the worrisome insecurity in South East.

The group slammed security operatives for not doing enough to contain the insecurity in the zone, accusing them of complicity.

It demanded united condemnation of what it called “the targeted killings and unlawful persecution of Igbo youth and Igbos in general.”

The group also urged Igbo leaders to publicly demand Kanu’s “immediate release, and mass release of all Biafran agitators.”

It equally demanded “concrete steps to secure Igbo land from external terror and internal betrayal.”

Similarly, the group demanded “immediate withdrawal and closures of all military check points in Igbo land.”

The letter read in part:”To the esteemed Governors and political leaders of Igbo land, we, the sons and daughters of Igbo in the diaspora, write to you with hearts heavy with grief and indignation.

“Your silent complicity in the face of the ongoing persecution and systematic extermination of Igbo youth is an unforgivable betrayal of our people and of history itself.”

The group expressed disappointment over what it called the failure of the current Igbo leaders to fit into the big shoes of the founding Igbo leaders.

“You are the custodians of a people whose ancestors built one of the most glorious ancient civilizations in Africa—innovative, industrious, and unyielding in spirit. Yet today, under your very watch, Igbo youth are hunted down, incarcerated, raped and slaughtered in the guise of pursuing IPOB members.

“There are numerous reports of destruction of lives, properties, and businesses of Igbo folks all over Nigeria without any remedy, yet you remain inert.

” Your deafening silence emboldens the perpetrators of this genocide and exposes your indifference to the sacred blood of our people.”

The group said it was documenting the happenings in the South East, noting that the leaders would be made to account for their actions and inactions.

“Let it be clear: we in the diaspora are watching with keen eyes, documenting every actions and inactions, and keeping records for the inevitable day of reckoning.

“The judgement of history is inevitable and merciless, and no amount of political calculation or compromise with oppressors will absolve you of responsibility.”

According to the group, Igbo leaders have no justifiable excuse not to safeguard Igbo land.

“You are constitutionally obligated to secure the lives and properties of Ndi Igbo. By remaining passive while terrorists ravage the land; and while Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the prophet of our time and voice of a silenced people—remains unjustly incarcerated, you bring shame upon Igbo intelligence, our ancestors and above all, our Yah.”

The group urged Igbo leaders to place the interest of Ndigbo above their individual interest or political sentiments.

“We remind you that your loyalty is not to Abuja, nor to the fleeting privileges of office, but to the survival and dignity of our people.

“If you continue on this path of silence and betrayal, history will not remember you kindly. The spirits of our ancestors, the cries of the martyrs, and the resolve of our children will stand as eternal witnesses against you.”

“The time has come to choose: to stand with your people, or stand exposed as willing accomplices to their destruction”, the group said.

 

Steve Oko, Publisher/C.E.O, WaWa News Global. For more information on advert placement and news coverage, contact us on: 08038725600, or via email stevemanofgod2000@yahoo.com; wawanewsglobal@gmail.com Always read WaWa News Global - Your most dependable online news platform for the latest breaking news in Nigeria.

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