American Military Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) have issued a strong warning to the Southeast Governors, indicating they could face US presidential sanctions, including travel bans and asset confiscations, due to their alleged role in the ongoing detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
This warning follows claims that the Governors have been reluctant to fulfill President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request for a joint letter demanding Kanu’s release.
AVID, in a statement signed by its President, Chief Dr. Sylvester Onyia, and Secretary, Dr. Godson Obiagwu, expressed disappointment at the Governors’ failure to take action, accusing them of being non-committal to Kanu’s release.
AVID, comprising retired and serving Igbo military officers from North and South America, reminded the Governors of the serious consequences their inaction could have.
The statement read in part: “According to the information we have, the Governors are supposed to meet with the President and unanimously advocate for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release, which has yet to occur.”
“We also know that Mr. President has asked the Southeast Governors to write a formal letter seeking the release of their son, which they all find difficult to do. We are also aware that all meaningful initiatives, particularly by religious leaders and national and state players, have been frustrated by the same Governors.”
“Even after the Nigerian appeals court pronounced Mazi Nnamdi Kanu not guilty, the Governors remained silent, confirming their complicity.”
The veterans further stated that the continued detention of Kanu reflects violations of human rights that could trigger US sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.
This Act allows the US President to impose sanctions on foreign officials complicit in “gross violations of internationally recognized human rights,” including actions against freedom of expression or association.
“The range of presidential sanctions includes denial of visas, blocking transactions in all property in the United States, and public stigma. Therefore, when the time comes for it, your inaction in seeking the release of Nnamdi Kanu may make you complicit and thus subject to the full consequences of this Act should you come in contact with the United States which you do very often.”
AVID also cautioned the Governors to avoid being passive on matters of great significance to the Igbo people.
The statement continued: “As AVID USA, we cannot stand by and let Southeast Governors devastate Igboland by selfishness and a lack of motivation to advance our region.”
“As a group, we attempted multiple times to persuade these Governors that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was justified in his stands on security and socio-economic development of Southeast.”
“Keep in mind that you Governors proscribed IPOB, while previous President Buhari labelled this wonderful organization a terrorist movement due to his enmity with the Igbo people. For this reason, we can’t blame the President for the insecurity in the Southeast region.”
The veterans also urged President Tinubu to act swiftly in releasing Kanu, fulfilling the pledge made by his son, Seyi Tinubu, before the 2023 presidential election.
AVID echoed Prince Emmanuel Kanu’s call for the implementation of the agreement between Nnamdi Kanu’s family and President Tinubu, and expressed agreement with the statement from concerned Igbo Ministers that Kanu’s continued detention is a betrayal of the Igbo nation.
“We, the American Military Veterans of Igbo Descent, (AVID) concur with Prince Emmanuel Kanu’s position on the implementation of the agreement between the family of Nnamdi Kanu and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through his son Seyi.”
“We also concur with the concerned Igbo Ministers’ Commission over the recent news announcement that: ‘The continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a betrayal of the Igbo nation…’”
