The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, has appealed to the Federal Government to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to enable him to access proper medical care.
In a video message sent to The PUNCH on Thursday, Azuta-Mbata also encouraged Igbos across the country to participate actively in the ongoing voter registration exercise and ensure they obtain their permanent voter cards.
Nnamdi Kanu, one of Nigeria’s most controversial separatist figures, has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his rearrest in June 2021.
His detention followed a covert operation by Nigerian authorities in Kenya.
He had earlier fled the country in 2017 while on bail after being arrested in 2015 on charges related to treason.
Azuta-Mbata emphasized the need for a political approach to Kanu’s case rather than prolonged detention, which, according to him, benefits the government in no meaningful way.
“I urge every Igbo person across Nigeria to immediately take part in the ongoing voter registration and get their PVCs,” the Ohanaeze leader said.
“Secondly, I call on the Federal Government to release Nnamdi Kanu without delay. The continued detention of Kanu offers no real advantage to the government. His safety, welfare, and access to medical treatment must be guaranteed.”
“This issue requires a political solution. The government must act in a way that promotes healing and national unity, rather than deepening divisions,” he added.
