Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a sociocultural group, has petitioned President Bola Tinubu to pardon IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally, comparing his actions to those of deceased nationalists such as Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, and Ahmadu Bello.
Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the factional Secretary-General of Ohanaeze, claimed in a statement for Nigeria’s 63rd anniversary that the unconditional freedom of Kanu and Igboho will help reduce the prospect of disintegration in Nigeria.
He hoped that the Federal Government would use the 63rd anniversary of Independence Day to show its dedication to national unity and peaceful coexistence, in the “spirit of the sacrifices made by the nation’s founding fathers.”
According to Isiguzoro, both activists have been outspoken in calling for better safety and economic opportunities in Southern Nigeria.
He pointed out that in the current political atmosphere, separatist sentiment is on the rise again.
Isiguzoro claims that on October 1, 2023, Nigeria will celebrate its 63rd independence anniversary with “mixed feelings.” While the country is happy to be free of colonial rule, it is also dealing with internal strife and political turmoil. In particular, the leading Igbo group considered the role that Nigerian Nationalists played in the country’s 1960 independence.
One of the most influential people in Nigeria’s fight for independence was Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, a notable Igbo leader and pan-Africanist. Nigeria’s independence was largely due to his and other nationalists’ efforts. However, in light of the current political atmosphere, separatist movements—most notably IPOB, led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu—have reemerged.
Kanu’s arrest by the Federal Government, under President Tinubu’s leadership, has been a contentious issue. In light of the government’s activities and the fact that Yoruba activist Sunday Igboho has not been prosecuted, many Nigerians are suspicious. Both activists have been outspoken in calling for better safety and economic opportunities in Southern Nigeria, a subject that gained support during President Buhari’s first term in office.
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo is urging President Tinubu to put Nigeria’s national unity ahead of his personal agenda. They argue that releasing Kanu and Igboho would be a fitting tribute to Nigerian nationalists like Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, and Ahmadu Bello, and hence should be granted by the President.
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