Igbo elders demand release of Kanu, other political prisoners

The United Igbo Council of Elders (UNIEC), has called on the Federal Government to unconditionally release the imprisoned leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and all political prisoners held in various parts of the country.

The group which made the demand in a statement through its Director of Media and Publicity, Prof Obasi Igwe, and Coordinator-General, Alpha Justice, on Saturday, also called on the government to end “all unlawful, covert, night and secret arrests, detentions and extrajudicial killings in the country, as well as an end to the port and economic blockade of Eastern Nigeria.’

In a statement titled, “A New Governance Model for Nigeria”, the group also set out a five-point agenda for meaningful peace and development in the country, stressing that they arrived at the decision after a series of consultations and detailed analysis of various proposals on the current dire situation in Nigeria.

UNIEC added that restructuring, regionalism and referendum are mutually beneficial patterns for peace and stability in Nigeria.

“The indisputable fact is that in mid-2015, there was not a single rebellion or war aimed at overthrowing the Federal Government or ushering in Biafra anywhere in Igbo society, and none is happening now, except those engineered by a tyrant who ensured the outbreak of such a war, with shoot-to-kill or shoot-on-sight orders openly issued against promising innocent youths before the entire world, partly to punish the Igbo for their various sins,” the group said.

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“We therefore demand the unconditional release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and his associates, as well as all political detainees, with an immediate end to all forms of unlawful, covert, clandestine and secretive arrests, detentions and extrajudicial killings.

“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has been tortured, victimized and degraded beyond measure and it is of no value to a nation to continue to imprison innocent citizens.

“The opening of the Igbo/Eastern Port system has also had a far-reaching impact and spurred development across the Eastern Middle Belt and beyond, while the continued closure of the Igbo/Eastern Ports has also had a cumulative negative impact across the Eastern region of the country all the way to Maiduguri.

“Nigeria demands restructuring based on single citizenship areas alongside multi-ethnic citizenship areas, with the numbers in each category determined by competitive regional considerations.

“No economic policy or blueprint, however brilliantly formulated, can work beyond the marginal neocolonial confines without a proper political economy or foundation, or base that supports the superstructure,” the statement added.

Igbo elders demand release of Kanu, other political prisoners first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.