Ohanaeze Youths Want Federal Government To Drop Charges Against Kanu
Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) has urged the Federal Government to discard the newly amended charges against the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, which border on terrorism and settle out of the court.
The Council made the call through its National President, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, in a statement in Owerri on Tuesday.
The youths noted that Kanu’s and Sunday Igboho’s case could lead Nigeria to the path of peace if handled diplomatically and tactically or lead Nigeria into destruction “if the FG insists on heating the polity of quest for secession in Nigeria through legal means.”
They attributed the escalation of problem to the poor treatment meted out to Kanu by the government beginning from the time of Ralph Uwazurike up until date.
“The demand for self-determination among Igbo is an evidence of how they (Igbos) are being treated in Nigeria since the end of the Nigeria- Biafra civil war. The colossal failure of southeast leaders from Governors, senators, House of Representatives, Ministers, House of Assembly members and other political leaders in the zone contributed to the economic decay which raised the demand of the young generation to seek the actualization of State of Biafra started by Dim Ikemba Odimegwu Ojukwu in 1967,” Ohanaeze youths said.
They urged Federal Government to follow the path of dialogue and negotiation to discuss with the leadership of all pro-Biafra groups, the majority of whom he noted, were found in Igboland, stressing “that all the prisoners of conscience of Biafra activists starting from Nnamdi Kanu and Benjamin Onwuka should be released.”
The Ohanaeze youths regretted that 15 members of MASSOB had been laying waste in Anambra and Awka prison since 13 years, among whom he bemoaned was a pregnant woman, Mrs. Onyedika Orji who gave birth in the prison.
“Since the year 2000, there are many members of MASSOB in Nigeria prisons, in Anambra and Awka prison about 15 members of MASSOB are still in prison since 13 years.”
Others, according to them were: “one Miss Okwudili Bassey who was 18 years when her unjust arrest took place. Other victims are Uche Idikaigbo, Micheal Okezie, Uchenna Nicholas, Peter Igbokwe, Ikechukwu Aghara, Chima Asor, and Chinweike Irondi. Others are Sabastine Amadi, Casmir Odakara, Ojemba Anyanwu, Eni Kalu, Ndubuisi Okam, Ikechukwu Chinwem, Emmanuel Orji, Chukwuma Kalu, Chidiebere Chikwem and Mmaduabuchi Asika.”
They advised the government to toll the pathway of dialogue and negotiation in their dealings with the pro-Biafran groups to avoid violence reactions in the country.
“Nigeria government should follow path of dialogue and negotiation in dealing with pro-Biafrans to void violence reactions from other groups, there are more Igbo young men more controversial on the issue of Biafra restoration than Nnamdi Kanu.”
