The main Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has voiced support for President Tinubu’s decision to consider freeing Nnamdi Kanu from jail.
According to a press statement published on Thursday and signed by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Kanu’s release date is expected to be December 2023.
The president’s decision, according to the organization, will have “significant implications for the political landscape in the Southeast.” The organization also warned against “mischievous Igbo political elites and deviant opportunists” claiming credit for Kanu’s release.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo urges President Tinubu not to entertain any visits or demands from these individuals,” the press release said. “The credit for Kanu’s release should solely be attributed to him.”
The group also said that Kanu’s release would “gradually diminish the rising popularity of both Peter Obi and Simon Ekpa in the Southeast.”
“Politically, the Igbo nation will consider President Tinubu as a viable candidate over Peter Obi in the 2027 elections,” the organisation added in the press release.
“Additionally, from a security perspective, Ekpa’s disruptive activities and terrorist tendencies in the Southeast will be consigned to the annals of history.”
Ohanaeze Ndigbo encouraged President Tinubu to remain firm in his stance on Kanu’s release.
“We assure him that the Igbo nation stands behind him,” the press release said. “We trust that he will handle this matter with utmost care and consideration.”
