The Ohanaeze Youth Council called on the federal government on Tuesday to drop the new terrorist charge against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, and settle the case out of court.
Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, the group’s national president, stated this in Umuahia during a peace and conflict resolution meeting of the council.
He stated that both Kanu’s and Sunday Igboho’s cases on self-actualization could lead Nigeria to the “path of peace if handled diplomatically and tactically, or lead Nigeria to destruction if the FG insists on hitting the polity of the quest for secession in Nigeria through legal means.”
He said, “The sudden escalation of deep problems between Nigerian government and pro-Biafra groups was due to the poor treatment meted to the latter by the former, beginning from the time of Ralph Uwazurike up until date.
“The demand for self-determination among Igbos is an evidence of how Igbos are being treated in Nigeria since the end of the Nigeria- Biafra civil war.
“The colossal failure of southeast leaders from governors, senators, House of Representatives, ministers, House of Assembly members and all sorts of political leaders contributed to the economic decay, which raised the demand of the young generation to seek the actualization of the State of Biafra started by Dim Ikemba Odimegwu Ojukwu in 1967.”
Comrade Igboayaka urged the federal government to pursue a path of dialogue and negotiation with the leaders of all pro-Biafra groups, the majority of which he noted were found in Igboland.
According to him, “Since the year 2000, there are many members of MASSOB members in Nigeria prisons. In Anambra and Awka prisons, about 15 members of MASSOB are still in prison since 13 years.”
He recounted, “One Miss Okwudili Bassey who was 18 years old when her unjust arrest took place.
“Other victims are Uche Idikaigbo, Micheal Okezie, Uchenna Nicholas, Peter Igbokwe, Ikechukwu Aghara, Chima Asor, and Chinweike Irondi.
“Others are Sabastine Amadi, Casmir Odakara, Ojemba Anyanwu, Eni Kalu, Ndubuisi Okam, Ikechukwu Chinwem, Emmanuel Orji, Chukwuma Kalu, Chidiebere Chikwem and Mmaduabuchi Asika.
“There are more than 10, 000 Igbo young men more controversial on the issue of Biafra restoration than Nnamdi Kanu.”
