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Enugu governor in talks with Tinubu over Kanu, restates sit-at-home ban

By Oluyemi Ogunseyin
09 June 2023   |   8:52 am
Enugu State governor, Peter Mbah has opened discussions with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) regarding the possible release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Nnamdi Kanu

IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu

Enugu State governor, Peter Mbah has opened discussions with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) regarding the possible release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Mbah has also restated his ban on Monday’s sit-at-home in Enugu as the governor believes it is highly detrimental to the economic development of the South-East state.

Back to Kanu who has been in detention since the year 2021 following his re-arrest in Kenya, Mbah is keen for the IPOB leader to regain his freedom as soon as possible.

Following his private meeting with Tinubu at the presidential Villa in Aso Rock, Abuja on Thursday, Mbah told State House Correspondents that releasing Kanu would be in line with the President’s agenda for national healing as he promised on May 29 during his inauguration at the Eagles Square.

Recall that it has been exactly two years since Kanu was arrested on Kenyan soil and extradited to Nigeria where he faced seven counts bordering on terrorism.

“We also, of course, talked about the release of Nnamdi Kanu,” the Enugu State governor told reporters.

“You know that the South-East has made a collective demand to have Nnamdi Kanu released, and we basically identified with that.

“Mr President has, in his inaugural address, promised the people that he’s going to engender national healing and he’s going to serve with compassion.

“So, we’ve basically informed him that this would serve as a pointer to his administration’s extension of hands of fellowship,” Mbah said.

He thereafter restated his ban on Monday’s sit-at-home in Enugu to drive private sector investments and economic growth in the state.

“We also had that conversation with Mr President. We have made a very strong announcement. We’ve banned sit-at-home on Mondays in Enugu,” he disclosed.

“And obviously, what that means is that we will, of course, need to, you know, heighten our security, tackle the challenges that would flow from that, and, you know, essentially that’s what I have come to do,” he emphasised.

Mbah had declared an end to sit-at-home in the state effective from Monday, June 6, 2023, saying such orders were restricting creativity, entrepreneurship and productivity in the state.

He, however, expressed the government’s readiness to engage in dialogue with people who have genuine grievances towards bringing lasting peace and security to Enugu State.

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