Indigenous People of Biafra, a banned secessionist organization, have been urged to put down their weapons and let peace rule in the South-East by Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization.
In response, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Kanu's attorney, advised his followers to exercise caution because "the enemies were effortlessly exploiting vulnerable means to blackmail IPOB."
Chief Alex Ogbonnia, the Ohanaeze's spokesperson, told our correspondent in an interview that some elders in the South-East, including Prof. George Obiozor, the organization's leader, were attempting to negotiate Kanu's release with President Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).
Ohanaeze begs the IPOB not to jeopardize S'East chances
He also pleaded with IPOB members not to jeopardize the South-chances East's while chasing what he described as legitimate rights. Some IPOB members protested recently in Aba, Abia State, over the Federal Government's refusal to release Kanu.
The protesters vowed not to allow the South-East to hold elections in 2023 unless Kanu was released and Biafra was granted. They urged Nigeria to disregard the 2023 regional elections "as long as our leader, Nnamdi Kanu, remains in DSS custody."
In an interview, Ogbonnia advised the secessionists not to create a "Frankenstein" that would consume them. According to him, the political climate has shifted in favor of the South-East with the election of Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate, and it would be challenging for any of them to destabilize the system that the elders had worked so hard to establish.
"Our position hasn't changed on this matter. Violence is never a solution. First and foremost, (Major General) Muhammadu Buhari (retd), the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, has already been urged to release Nnamdi Kanu by Ambassador George Obiozor and other Igbo elders.
We are confident in that engagement, which is currently underway. We hope that the President will pay attention to the concerns of the Igbo elders and take appropriate action.
I hope that this endeavor will also be successful." Our young boys have many good reasons to be upset; we've told them time and time again.
They are justified in doing so.
They should, however, listen to us as elders, especially when the political climate favors the South-East. We cannot create a Frankenstein monster that will destroy us at this time.
We don't want to venture into enemy territory. We advise our young people to take it easy. We're working hard to figure out how to overcome some of these obstacles."
