The Chidi Ibeh-led faction of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yesterday, warned South East governors not to play politics with the out-of-court settlement proposal for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation warned that it will sanction any South East governor, or politician with plans to abort the Kanu/Federal Government out-of-court settlement.
In a statement in Abakaliki, the Secretary General of the Ohanaeze faction, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, noted that there exists a group of political elites in the National Assembly masquerading as patriots, who seem eager to exploit the situation for their political gain, while forsaking the true objective of securing Kanu’s release.
He added that Ohanaeze is ready to stop such moves.
The group said that the recent turn of events regarding the likely out-of-court settlement has rekindled optimism among Nigerians and Ndigbo.
The group said that the decision of the Federal High Court, Abuja to adjourn proceedings till September 2024, while urging both parties to explore negotiations and settlements under section 17 of the High Court Act, signals a glimmer of hope for justice and reconciliation.
The statement reads: “Amid this ray of hope, there looms a shadow of discord and self-serving agenda within certain quarters of South East governors, political elite and misguided elders. These individuals appear to have the intention of obstructing the path to Kanu’s freedom, deriving personal benefits from his continued incarceration, and diverting state resources under the guise of addressing security challenges in the South East.”
“Additionally, criminals camouflaged as Biafra agitators, led by individuals like Simon Ekpa, are perpetrating acts of violence and criminality that further exacerbate the precarious security situation in the region.”
