Kanu: IPOB expresses concern over silence of South East governors, political leaders

• His freedom will boost peace, national unity, says group
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has expressed worry over the silence of South East governors and political leaders on continued illegal detention of Kanu despite the Appeal Court ruling, which discharged and acquitted him of all charges brought against him by Federal Government.

IPOB said it has been observing the countenance of Igbo politicians from the moment the court ruled in favour of Kanu, and wondered whether this silence is as a result of cowardice.

IPOB, in a statement, yesterday, through its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said: “Following the landmark judgment of October 13, 2022, by the Federal Court of Appeals sitting in Abuja, which discharged and acquitted Kanu of all charges brought against him by government, the silence from South East governors and political leadership gives room for concern.

“We are compelled to ask Igbo governors, Senators, House of Representatives members, Ministers, House of Assembly Members in every State in South East why they are silent over the continued illegal detention of their son after Court of Appeal’s ruling, which discharged and acquitted him of all charges.

“IPOB is asking these questions because our patience will not be infinitely elastic. The continued detention of Kanu by the Department of State Services (DSS), notwithstanding the Court of Appeal ruling and the accompanying silence from the South East political leaders, leaves much to be desired. This is exactly the same attitude of silence exhibited by these political, traditional and religious leaders as their sons and daughters are daily abducted and extra judicially murdered.”

MEAHWHILE, a group, under the eagis of Anya-Ndi-Igbo, yesterday, said that the discharge and acquital ruling of the embattled leader of the Indeginous People of Biafra (IPOB) by the Court of Appeal would boost unity and mutaul understanding, as well as trust in the country.

In a statement cosigned by the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the group, Dr. Uma Eleazu; its President,
Chris Okoye; Deputy President, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo; Secretary, Okey Nwadinobi; representative of women groups, Nnedinso Ogaziechi, and Chairman, Communication and

Public Relations Committee, Ikechukwu Amarachi, the group maintianed that the Court of Appeal judgement dischaging Kanu is timely, considering the new consciousness among Nigerians to work together toward building a new Nigeria.

The statement reads: “The progress being made towards building a united and great country based on rule of
law, mutual understanding and trust, has received a boost from the October 13, 2022,
judgement of the Court of Appeal, which discharged and acquitted Kanu of
charges of terrorism.

“Coming at a time people across the country are excited with the consciousness to work together towards a new Nigeria, this show of confidence, courage and sense of duty by the Court of Appeal has further raised hope that Nigeria is set to march towards its position, as a respectable and reliable member of the international community.

The group commended the judiciary for living up to its responsibility as last hope of the common man.

It, therefore, called on Federal Government to use the opportunity to initiate a process of genuine reconciliation, constructive engagement, mutual trust and harmony, not only with Kanu and his group, but also
with other aggrieved groups across the country.