A chieftain of apex Igbo sociocultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, on Sunday urged South-East leaders to engage the President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, on the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
Isiguzoro also called for the engagement of traditional rulers like the Oba of Lagos and the Sultan of Sokoto to help facilitate the settlement of Kanu’s matter.
In a statement he signed, Isiguzoro called for ceasefire among agitators to allow a peaceful atmosphere across the Southeast.
The statement reads partly: “In the face of this challenging landscape, we must adopt a multifaceted strategy to advocate for Kanu’s immediate release:
“Mobilizing International Influence: We must urgently seek to engage former President Donald Trump, appealing for him to apply pressure on both Britain’s Prime Minister and President Tinubu, as Kanu was once a vocal supporter of Trump.
“This relationship can serve as a powerful diplomatic tool in our quest for justice.
“Engaging Traditional Leadership: We propose immediate outreach to the Oba of Lagos and the Sultan of Sokoto. Their influential positions allow them to act as mediators who can help facilitate constructive dialogues necessary for resolving this matter.
“Ceasefire Among Agitators: We call for a tactical ceasefire from agitation groups to create a peaceful atmosphere conducive to negotiations. An environment of calm will enhance the potential for meaningful discussions surrounding Nnamdi Kanu’s release.
“Let it be unequivocally stated: the Southeast Governors’ continued inaction reflects an unforgivable disregard for Nnamdi Kanu and his supporters.
“Moreover, the reluctance of some Igbo traditional rulers and clerics to stand by Kanu during pivotal moments raises serious questions about the integrity of their commitment to our cause. Was their presence in previous court sessions merely performative, a shallow gesture devoid of true allegiance?”
Engage Trump on Nnamdi Kanu’s release – Ohanaeze chieftain to Igbo leaders