TIME TO FREE OUR PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE, MAZI NNAMDI KANU.
The latest call by the leader of the pan Yoruba socio cultural group, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo for the Tinubu government to unconditionally release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from unjustified detention is patriotic, statesmanly, auspicious and very commendable.
Sunday Igboho, another pan Yoruba audacious voice and freedom fighter have not rested since returning from self imposed exile after regaining his freedom from Benin Republic prison with as many demonstrable and patriotic calls for the Tinubu government to expeditiously free Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from continued detention.
The leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ahaejiagamba Chief Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu with the mandate of all Igbos that he carries has equally not rested on his oars since assuming the presidency of the sociocultural Igbo body, using the opportunity of every speech to press on the moral conscience of the nation to do the needful by releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to walk home as a free man.
Late Dr. George Obiozo who died Interstate as President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo was said to had suddenly died with Nnamdi Kanu’s case on his mouth and on his table. Many international groups had made similar calls for his release even as joint action national groups such as Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Pandef and Middle Belt Forum in many joint communique called for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Where is our collective wisdom and conscience?
Two past court orders had set him free from unjustified judicial and diplomatic rendition that grossly violated his human rights and which actions should justiceably and rightly invoke the order of judicial estoppel as judicial remedy of trite normative law principles from further trial of the case. One wonders what more calls remains to be made concerning this extraordinary judicial impunity and state rascality that obviously tramples on natural justice and peaceful coexistence.
The Southeast zone and by extension catchment of contagious geopolitical zones have not known peace since Nnamdi Kanu was extraordinarily bundled into our court rooms without requisite international jurisdiction. Like the Nelson Mandela case, Nnamdi Kanu’s case is a political issue that cannot rationally face judicial extrapolation. His continued appearances in the courts is becoming both national and international embarrassment. Tinubu should muster the courage to apply a political solution to end the burning issue.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should be reminded that he’s not at war with the Igbo race because of the trenchant ethnic struggles for political power in Nigeria. During his days at NADECO, he was in the same trenches of political battles with notable Igbos like, Late Commodore Ndubuisi Kanu, Chief Sam Mbakwe, Chief Ralph Obiora, Ebitu Ukiwe, late Sunday Ubani and countless other Igbo heroes of democracy like Joe Igbokwe et al. Igbo progressives elements were in the forefront of Pro Democracy struggles with Yorubas and many also died in those trenches.
It is morally reprehensible for a Yoruba President like Tinubu to be perceived as harangueing the Igbos with whom he once shared poltical passion, fought political battles with and above all share progressive ethos of egalitarian democratic ideals. A handshake across the Niger is what this nation needs now to move forward.
A Yoruba presidency ought to respond more proactively to progressive ideals at nation building and to use the opportunity of a lifetime of uncensored presidency to reset this country along the path of fair play, justice and peaceful coexistence. Yoruba needs peace as much as the Igbo also need peace to progress and cultivate a beautiful country together.
There is nothing to gain by continuing the governance templates and political temperament of Buhari past presidency that unjustly levied war against the innocent Igbo populace. That era of nihilistic impunity had gone for good and to be replaced by the era of return to peaceful reconfiguration of this country to serve our multi-ethnic purpose.
And nothing will demonstrate that equanimity more strongly than granting unconditional amnesty to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to Kickstart a new aura of national healing. Such bold action will speak to heavenly peace and return the nation back on the path of progress.
This is the time we shall all collectively say that God has blessed this beautiful country called Nigeria. Happy Easter.
Dr. Engr Odo Ijere
