Edwin Clark, leader of the Ijaw nation, has written to President Bola Tinubu, calling for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Clark urged the President to direct the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to file a nolle prosequi (withdrawal of charges) to free Kanu on political grounds, citing his willingness to work with the government to bring peace and stability to the South-East.
According to the report by Punch on Sunday, Clark’s letter followed an earlier one in which he cautioned Tinubu against marginalizing the Igbo people, as allegedly done by his predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said that Kanu’s freedom would complete Nigeria’s reconciliation and end the sit-at-home order in the South-East.
The IPOB leader has been detained since 2021 and was denied bail in April by the Federal High Court.
Clark said that the “carrot and stick approach” would be more effective in addressing regional agitations than military force.
He noted that IPOB has gained support among young people in the South-East due to the region’s historical marginalization.
He said that he has physically seen the IPOB militants when he attended a meeting at Awka, Anambra State.
He said, “The shortchanging of the Igbos of the South-East over the years is the reason why IPOB has fashioned a place for itself in the hearts and minds of the young people in the South-East with its demand for self-determination.
“I have physically seen these IPOB boys in action at the Ekwueme Square in Awka, Anambra State, when I attended a meeting of the Southern and Middle Belt Forum there.”…..Sée Móre