Ohanaeze demands IPOB’s ceasefire
… pleads FG over Kanu’s failing health
The apex socio-cultural association of Igbo group, popular known as Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has advised members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to cease fire and surrender to the federal government and plead for clemency.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary-general of the group, Okechukwu Isiguzoro made available to Nigerian NewsDirect on Sunday.
The group further called on the Nigerian government to ensure that the captured IPOB fugitive leader, Nnamdi Kanu, medical well being is well attended to.
Earlier, Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor raised alarm over his client’s health alleging that he was ‘tortured’ and currently suffering from a heart ailment.
The statement by the group read: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide has alerted President Muhammadu Buhari of the consequences of denying the detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, access to health facilities and services through the doctor of his choice as one is presumed innocent until proven guilty of any Court.
“There are complaints about him(Nnamdi Kanu) of being denied access to medical care and attention, and such might attract empathy from the International community and might spur chaos as his adherents are threatening to storm Abuja when the trials of Nnamdi kanu resume on July 26th, 2021, which might portend danger at nation’s capital.
“We commended FG through DSS for granting him access to his lawyer, such gestures should be extended to family members, especially his younger brothers and sisters should be allowed to visit him, and his fundamental human rights should be respected before his trials resume to assure the public nothing happens to him while in incarceration.”
The group said, “Ndigbo had remained calm and peaceful over the re-arrest of Nnamdi Kanu.” It added that “We extol Igbo youths that obeyed our earlier instructions to shun any form of protests and procession but urge those that were misled and regretted going into armed struggle to surrender immediately and be free.
“We are ready to help any Igbo youth in the wrong niche of agitation to surrender willfully and be apologetic to beg Southeast Governors, it will motivate Ohanaeze Ndigbo to implore FG and southeast Governors to grant ‘repentant agitators’ amnesty and state clemency, this is the finest hour for those remorseful ipob members to surrender,” the statement concluded.
