By Emma Okereh
Barr Nnaemeka Ejimofor, lawyer to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Namdi Kanu, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate his democratic credentials by trying to personally hear from the detained agitator.
In a statement to journalists titled, ‘Why President Bola Tinubu should meet Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’, he pleaded that Kanu’s persona is greatly misunderstood by those that have not had personal contact with him.
He recalled that President Tinubu had in the past agitated for democratic rule after the annulment of June 12, elections. He also fought for good governance as well as bad and excruciating economic policies as rooted in the oil subsidy protest which he championed during the Jonathan administration.
He said that Nnamdi Kanu is a detribalized Nigerian who is more interested in good governance, equity and corrupt-free country but is misunderstood by his leadership of IPOB.
“Kanu has a great passion for the turn around of Nigeria’s economic fortune as well as the fight against corruption and other forms of social ill in the society so that the country can have a better future”.
He therefore called on the president to have a private audience with him so that he can get first hand, the man’s theories on how Nigeria can forge ahead.
“Recall that before his death recently, Ohanaeze ndi Igbo president, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu emerged from a meeting with him at the DSS detention facility and was awed at his deep insight, intellect, persona and clear headedness which led to the old man’s shedding of tears and vowed to meet with President Tinubu to plead for his release.
He said, “The call for Kanu’s release has gained more traction as Tinubu’s government has chosen a peaceful path with other agitators like Omoyele Sowore, Sunday Igbohon and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo who were similarly charged with offences against the state.
The conciliatory attitude of the government to Boko Haram terrorists who killed, kidnapped and raped Nigerians during Kanu’s incarceration, coupled with the fact that several courts had ordered his release, all make it a compelling case for a reconsideration of his case.
“Additionally, Kanu’s release, as most people have argued, will help to end the carnage in the South East and improve the peace and security in the region.
With peace in the region, the military deployed there can then be redeployed to face the bandits and terrorists wreaking havoc in the North East, North West and parts of North Central leading to food insecurity that is now causing hunger protests in the land”, he pleaded.
