Nnamdi Kanu: Northern Elders Ask Buhari Not to Release IPOB Leader

Nnamdi Kanu: Northern Elders Ask Buhari Not to Release IPOB Leader

  • The Northern Elders Forum said releasing IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu will do serious injury to the Nigerian judiciary
  • This follows a request by some prominent Igbo leaders asking President Buhari to release the detained Biafra secessionist leader
  • The forum stated that the judicial process in the case of Kanu must be allowed to run its course without interference

FCT, Abuja - The Northern Elders Forum, NEF, on Monday, November 29 urged President Muhammadu Buhari to reject the request of some notable Igbo leaders, demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader.

The forum stated that there were neither safe, constructive nor informed grounds for granting the request, and advised the president not to delay in announcing that the judicial process in the case of Kanu would be allowed to run its course.

Read also

Presidency berates Obasanjo, others over comment on Buhari's Administration

Nnamdi Kanu
Nnamdi Kanu is currently in the custody of the Department of State Security. Photo credit: Marco Longari/AFP
Source: Getty Images

The elders said this in a statement signed by its spokesman, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, and seen by Legit.ng.

Part of the statement read:

PAY ATTENTION: Join Legit.ng Telegram channel! Never miss important updates!

“Northern Elders Forum has carefully studied the request of Igbo Elders for President Muhammadu Buhari to terminate the trial of Nnamdi Kanu and release him unconditionally.
“It has also noted President Buhari’s response which both raised very weighty issues related to the request, and his commitment to consider it.
“The Forum advises that President Buhari will do serious injury to a country already threatened by multiple challenges to its security and territorial integrity, if he delays announcing the only responsible response, which is that the judicial process in the case of Kanu must be allowed to run its course.”

Igbo Leaders Meet Buhari in Aso Rock Over Nnamdi Kanu

Legit.ng had earlier reported that notable leaders from the southeast geopolitical zones on Friday, November 19 met with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa.

Read also

Northern youth group berates Obasanjo for criticising Buhari

The leaders were led by elder statesman, Mbazulike Amaechi and a former governor of Anambra state, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife.

Also in the delegation were the co-chair, Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace, Bishop Sunday Onuoha, Mr. Tagbo Amaechi, and Chief Goddy Uwazurike.

Buhari Says He’ll Consider Request for Nnamdi Kanu’s Release

Responding to the request by the Igbo leaders, President Buhari promised to consider the request for an unconditional release of Kanu.

The president made the promise saying:

“You’ve made an extremely difficult demand on me as leader of this country. The implication of your request is very serious. The demand you made is heavy. I will consider it.”

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Jerrywright Ukwu avatar

Jerrywright Ukwu Jerrywright Ukwu is an Abuja-based senior political/defence correspondent. He is a graduate of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos and the International Institute of Journalism in Abuja. He is also a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists. He spends his leisure-time reading history books. He can be reached via email at jerrywright39@yahoo.com.