…Queries DSS role in Orji Kalu’s visit to Nnamdi Kanu
…Ex Governor part of, not solution to Igbo problems, Nnamdi Kanu’s family alleges, as group commends visit
From Everest Ezihe (Owerri) and Chidi Asonye, Umuahia
The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) says there would be no end to its agitation except President Mohammadu Buhari’s government sets a date to hold a referendum on the secession of the South-East region from Nigeria.
According to a press statement endorsed by the spokesperson of the group, Emma Powerful,
“Nigerian government must bear one thing in mind; IPOB is not fighting to restructure. We are not against restructuring but our demand is not restructuring.”
Powerful insisted that IPOB’s demand is the restoration of the Biafra state just as he posited that, “all we need is a date for referendum to decide whether or not we want to continue with this forced marriage”.
He further urged those who think Nigeria is ready for restructuring to have a rethink just as he pointed out that those currently benefiting from the present lopsidedness have made restructuring impossible and so are very unlikely to heed the clamour for restructuring.
The statement read in part, “Restoration of the sovereign State of Biafra is a divine mandate. Our eternal leader Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu told them to restructure Nigeria they said no and killed millions of Biafrans in the war.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB did not come on board to demand to restructure; we are for total freedom and independence,” IPOB also pointed out in the press statement.
This is even as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on Tuesday rejected the visit by former Abia state Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, to its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu on Tuesday, claiming that it violated the court-ordered guideline for visit to their leader, who has been in the custody of the Director of Security Service (DSS).
The Lead Counsel to IPOB, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, stated in a statement he issued from Owerri that the group has commenced an investigation into why DSS, should allow the former governor to visit their leader.
According to Ejiofor, “We can at best describe what transpired on Tuesday between a visitor whom the detaining authority ostensibly aided to violate the court-ordered guideline for visiting our Client as bizarre and unusual.
“The DSS is not oblivious of the terms of the court’s guideline which they have consistently maintained in the past that it must be obeyed to the letter, and through which position they had denied many friends and Attorneys of our Client, access to him.
“However, caution was thrown to the wind yesterday and instead of insisting on this full compliance with the existing guideline, the DSS for reasons best known to them allowed a visitor access to our Client even before the time scheduled for the formal visit and without his lawyers being present during the visit.
“It is of serious concern that the visit was conducted without strict adherence to the court-ordered guideline, but more condescending that the visit later became a subject of political gimmicks. If Our Client’s Attorneys, his flesh and blood brothers, and his wife will visit him in due compliance with the court-ordered guideline, how can the DSS authorize a visit from any other person in gross violation of this guideline?
“There is more to it than meet the eyes, which the DSS is now under a compelling duty to explain to us. Granted that his name appeared among the list submitted at the 11th hour alongside the names of the lawyers scheduled for the visit, but hurriedly proceeding to conduct the visit without us being present in line with the requirement of the guideline left us with many unanswered questions.
“We have initiated a formal process towards ensuring a thorough investigation of what transpired yesterday, and we shall not hesitate to formally address the world on this subject if there is an attempt to sweep our petition under the carpet.”
It was their view that; “The Order of the court and terms as laid down guideline, to regulate visits to our Client is to ensure his maximum protection from persons who may wish to secretly seize the opportunity to hurt or intimidate him into accepting a false narrative outside the dungeon where he is being illegally detained, and they could achieve this through threats and/or coercion, hence the need for the presence of his lawyers before granting any audience.
“We may not wish to speak further on this subject or even discuss our Client’s position on this visit pending the outcome of the investigation on the DSS authorized violation of the court court-ordered.
It should be recalled the Abia state former governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, posted saying: “This afternoon, I visited my brother, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in DSS custody, Abuja. I met him in good health and care, and we discussed him as ‘Umunna.
“In 2001 when I was Governor, I made his father Eze Israel Okwu Kanu, the traditional ruler of Afara-Ukwu, and since then, the family has been very close to me,” he stated
Family replies Orji Kalu, says ex-gov part of, not solution to Igbo problems
Meanwhile, former Governor of Abia State, and the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has come under fire over media remarks after meeting with the detained Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, at the Abuja Headquarters of the Department of State Services, DSS, where he is currently detained.
Irked by the statements credited to Kalu after the meeting, Kanu’s family expressed rage and disappointment over what it called “confusing , incoherent, disparaging and uncomplimentary remarks” by the Senator representing Abia North.
The Senate Chief Whip has in a tweet after his meeting with the IPOB Leader, said that he advised Kanu to watch his utterance, “especially as he has insane amount of people rooting for his release.”
A tweet posted by the Senate Chief Whip read: “This afternoon, I visited my brother, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in DSS custody , Abuja. I met him in good health and care and we discussed as ‘Umunne.
” In 2001 when I was Governor, I made his father Eze Israel Okwu Kanu traditional ruler of Akwara Ukwu and since then the family has been very close to me.
“I understand that Nnamdi has an insane amount of people rooting for his back home and I encouraged him to consider the consequences of certain actions and utterances for the sake of the same people.
“Even though, my ideology and his ideology are totally different , God has made us brothers and we can’t run away from each other. I owe him and Nigerians good counseling …Whether he and his family listens to me or not, I will continue counseling him as I have always done in the past. What we need most is a peaceful and secured society.”
But Kanu’s family in a swift reaction, lampooned the former governor, accusing him of unnecessarily advertising his visit to Kanu “probably for political gains”.
Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, who spoke for the family, demanded explanations from the former governor “what he meant by Kanu’s insane amount of people rooting for his release”.
The family cautioned the Senate Chief Whip against “making unguarded utterances on subjects beyond his comprehesion.”
” What does Senator Orji Uzor Kalu want to achieve by those confusing and disparaging remarks? Is he saying that millions of followers of Nnamdi Kanu who feel disenchanted by the protracted and provocative marginalisation and injustice perpetrated against Biafrans by the Nigeria Authorities are insane?
” Who is Kalu working for? Must he advertise his visit to our brother? If he thinks he has any solution to offer can’t he work from behind the scene? Must he make political capital of every issue?
” We are highly disappointed by his incoherent utterances. He must understand that our brother is not being persecuted because he stole, or committed any crime. His only crime if at all, it’s a crime, is asking for the freedom of the oppressed people of Biafra.
“Orji Uzor Kalu and his types are the reason the agitation for self determination by our people is unending. How can he be trusted by the people? We have not forgotten his role in 2017, when our brother was in Kuje prison. What is his mission? Is he for or against Nnamdi Kanu?
” By his utterances it’s clear that he is no solution but part of the problems of our people. He shouldn’t forget that history will judge him for all his actions and inactions.
“In case Kanu doesn’t know, real Igbo leaders are working behind the scene to bring about solution to the problem of our people. They don’t make noise over it”.
Meanwhile, a socio-political group, Abia North Peace Foundation, ANPF, has described the recent visit of Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu on the detained leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu at DSS facility in Abuja as a demonstration of selfless leadership.
According to the group, Sen. Kalu, representing Abia North Senatorial district has continued to champion the cause of Ndigbo globally and therefore had applauded him for that move.
In a reaction to the visit Tuesday in a press statement, the National Director of Media and Publicity of Abia North Peace Foundation, ANPF, Precious Kalu, expressed gratitude to Senator Kalu for his exceptional fatherly role to Ndigbo in particular and Nigeria at large.
His words, “Abia North Peace Foundation, ANPF, specifically acknowledged the exemplary, unique and selfless style of leadership strides you displayed while discharging your duty as a Senator. Your recent visit to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is highly commendable.
“We understand that the visit is about your passion for the progress of Ndigbo and Nigeria at large. We haven’t forgotten how you fought third term agenda with everything at your disposal. It is still in our memories how you reconciled prominent Igbo leaders like Dim Chukwuemeka Odiegwu Ojukwu and former Vice President Alex Ekwueme.
“It is the same you that reconciled President Muhammadu Buhari and former Military President, Ibrahim Babangida. You’re a progressive and detribalised Nigerian who is committed to peace and progress. We appreciate and commend your contributions to the peace and unity of Nigeria.”
