Nigerian Eastern Governors Urged to Secure Nnamdi Kanu's Release by Christmas

Nigerian Eastern Governors Urged to Secure Nnamdi Kanu's Release by Christmas

The American Military Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) has written an open letter to the Igbo community, urging unity in demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), by Christmas. AVID has advocated for justice for Kanu since his rendition in June 2021.

The letter, signed by AVID President and Secretary, Dr. Sylvester Onyia and Dr. Godson Obiagwu, respectively, emphasizes that since the courts have failed to deliver justice in Kanu's case, Igbo leaders should engage with President Bola Tinubu to secure Kanu's release through political means.

AVID calls on the Southeast Governors Forum (SEGF) to meet with President Tinubu without delay, warning that further delay could be construed as evidence of complicity in Kanu's continued detention. The letter states, "Any further delay could be seen as evidence that all Southeast Governors are complicit in the continued incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu."

The group also addresses concerns that some Southeast politicians may be blocking Kanu's release due to personal ambitions. AVID assures that a free Kanu will not interfere with Igbo politicians' ambitions, stating, "A free Nnamdi Kanu will have neither the motivation nor the interest to block the ambition of any Igbo that wishes to be a Vice President of Nigeria."

AVID emphasizes that Kanu's release is crucial to ending insecurity in the Southeast. The group urges Southeast leaders to impress upon security agencies the need to eschew their reliance on Kanu's detention as a justification for padding security votes.

The letter concludes by urging Governor Alex Otti of Abia State to champion Kanu's release, given Kanu's Abia State origin. AVID members are optimistic that with Igbo leaders' efforts, Kanu will be released before December 25, promoting peace and stability in the region.

The open letter reads: "For this reason, we earnestly call on the Southeast Governors Forum (SEGF) to, without further delay, meet with President Bola Tinubu on this matter. If it is true, as we have been told, that some Southeast politicians, particularly one of the Governors, are blocking the release of Nnamdi Kanu because of his fear that Kanu will scuttle his ambition to become a Vice President of Nigeria, either in 2027 or beyond, we say to such politician that a free Nnamdi Kanu will have neither the motivation nor the interest to block the ambition of any Igbo that wishes to be a Vice President of Nigeria."