South East traditional rulers, bishops make case for Kanu’s release

 

Traditional rulers and leaders of religious organizations in the South East zone have made a strong call for the release of separatist leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Prominent personalities in the zone under the aegis of The South East Council of Traditional Rulers and

Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops On Peace and Conflict Resolution made the call in a press release on Tuesday.

The press release, which was jointly signed by the traditional ruler of Onitsha, Obi Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe who is also the chairman of the Anambra State Council of traditional rulers called for the release of Kanu.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja had Thursday discharged Thursday and acquitted Kanu of charges preferred against him by the federal government.

In its reaction, the group said: “We welcome this judgment and assert that the wisdom of the Appellate Court presents a timely and unprecedented opportunity to overcome the challenge of trust that has obstructed the path to peace.

“It also opens the window to win the hearts and minds of the people. We therefore unequivocally support the call for the immediate release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in line with the unanimous judgment of the Court that his extradition and subsequent trial was illegal, and the lower court had no jurisdiction to hear the case.”

The group said that in the recent past, it has undertaken extensive and intense behind-the-scenes consultations with all stakeholders to broker a permanent, regionally coordinated restoration of the South-East to the status as the most peaceful and progressive subnational zone in Nigeria.

“The Joint Body has been consistent and persistent in its call for all stakeholders to not relent in the pursuit of peacebuilding and resolution of security

challenges in the South East, based on justice, equity, fairness, love, mutual understanding, and respect for all persons.

“In furtherance of this, we have also supported the call for the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by the Federal Government to douse the current tensions across the Southeast and create an atmosphere for collaboration toward a constructive resolution of the issues.

“In conclusion, the march towards peace and the restoration of normalcy in our society and economy requires the collective action of all people of God. We are confident that all Nigerians will rise to the summons of History and act with courage, conviction, and integrity,” the group said.

Other personalities who co-signed the press release are; Rev. Dr. Chibuzo R. Opoko, Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia; H.M. Igwe Amb L. O. C. Agubuzu, Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council and Most Rev. Dr. Valerian M. Okeke, Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha