Ohanaeze Ndigbo insists on political solution to Nnamdi Kanu’s incarceration saying that the President will understand soon.
It could be recalled that Igbo leaders under the aegis of Highly Respected Igbo Greats had appealed to Buhari to ensure the release of Kanu. However, the President dismissed their plea, saying he would not interfere with the judiciary.
He added that Kanu had to defend himself after making several accusations against his regime while he was out of the country.
Responding to a question, he said, “There is one institution that I wouldn’t dare interfere with – that is, judiciary. Kanu’s case is with the judiciary.
“But what I wonder is when Kanu was safely in Europe, abusing this administration, I never really thought that he wanted to voluntarily come to defend himself on the accusations he has made. So, we are giving him the opportunity to defend himself in our system, and not to be abusing us from Europe as if he was not a Nigerian.
“Let him come here, criticise us here. Nigerians know that I don’t interfere with the judiciary. Let him be listened to. For those who are saying that we should release him, no, we cannot release him”
However, Ohanaeze spokesman Chief Alex Ogbonnia, stated that the organisation will still seek for a political solution to the issue. He said this in reaction to the president’s interview on political solution in releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Ogbonnia said, “Ohanaeze position is very clear and constant. We have looked at the whole scenario and we are convinced that Nnamdi Kanu’s case and IPOB can only be solved through a political solution. It is unfortunate that the Presidency or the president hasn’t appreciated the Ohanaeze position and by extension the Igbo position or the Igbo leadership position on this matter. But we are very confident that by time we will meet him early this year he will understand it more.”