By Chesa Chesa
The Leaders of Southern and Middle Belt Forum (SMBLF) have again demanded the release from detention of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on treason charges by the Federal Government.
The SMBLF, which met in Abuja Monday, condemned the continued incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu and its implication on peace and security in the South East.
The meeting was chaired by the National Leaders of the forum, Chief Edwin Clark; and in attendance were Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Leader of Afenifere; Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, President-General of Ohanaeze
Ndigbo Worldwide; Dr. Pogu Bitrus, National President of Middle Belt Forum (MBF), and Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, National Chairman of PANDEF.
The meeting also had in
attendance several elder statesmen including former Governors,
former Members of the National Assembly, former Ministers and other leaders from the respective zones.
According to a communiqué issued at the meeting, the SMBFL called on President Tinubu to ensure that rule of law is allowed to prevail on this matter and all court rulings on this matter are obeyed.
“The release of Nnamdi Kanu is in the interest of the entire country as the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has promised that they will work with him to restore peace in the region”, the elders statesmen noted.
They also condemned spiralling insecurity across the country, stating that “in all parts of the country, terrorists, bandits, kidnapers, armed robbers and other violent groups have taken over our cities, villages and highways.
“Most recently, Plateau, Ekiti, Kwara, Kogi, Benue States, including
the FCT have become some of the most dangerous places to live in.
“It is inconceivable that criminal groups can come in and out of our communities, yet those who are responsible for safeguarding the society cannot get in to same hideouts or anticipate their activities.
“The SMBLF reminds President Tinubu that the primary duty of government is to protect the life and property of its citizens and the buck stops on the table of Mr. President.
“While appreciating the sacrifices of some members of the security services, the Forum calls on all those concerned to redouble efforts and restore peace back to the entire country.
“The worsening state of insecurity again reinforces the call for rejigging of the whole security architecture of the country; inparticular the urgent need for more federal government interest and encouragement towards ongoing state and community policing efforts around the country.”
The group further condemned the setting up of an ethnic militia by the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore a forthnight ago in Lafia, Nasarawa State, and urged that Federal Government should not condone actions that would force
other ethnicities into setting up their own ethnic armies as that will lead to national disintegration.
In addition, the meeting asked President Tinubu and his team to come up with practical solutions to address prevailing economic problems regarding inflation, the fall of the Naira against the dollar, and worsening poverty, and bring tangible results to Nigerians.
