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Hopes of political solution to the plight of the detained leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, were dashed when President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday told Southeast leaders that the court will determine his fate.
He stated this during a meeting with leaders from the region at the New Government House Abakaliki, capital of the State.
The President was reacting to a demand by leaders of the region who pleaded with him to release Kanu and Igbo other youths in detention across the country.
Southeast leaders had at the meeting, demanded the immediate release of Kanu from the President.
The leaders made the plea in an address during the meeting with the President at the Executive Council Chambers, New Government House Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi state.
Chairman of Southeast Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Charles Mkpuma read the address.
He said: “We plead with you to tamper Justice with mercy in the case of our son Nnamdi Kanu.”
Eze Mkpuma said the leaders have started discussion with all aggrieved groups and persons with a view to getting all of them to come to a roundtable discussion for an amicable resolution so that peace will return to the region.
The leaders commended the President for construction of second Niger Bridge, Akanu Bbiam Airport and many federal roads in the region.
He also asked for the President’s support for the southeast to produce the next president.
With Buhari’s emphatic position on the matter, hopes of political solution on the case have been effectively closed. Expectations were high on the reprieve for the IPOB leader when elder statesman, and First Republic Minister for Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amechi, appealed to the armed groups in the south east to withdraw the sit-at-home directive they had issued over the president’s two-day visit to Ebonyi State, assuring them that Nnamdi Kanu issue would be tabled at the visit.
Amechi had begged the armed men to withdraw their threat and avoid actions that would embarrass Ndigbo before President Buhari.
Pa Amechi further explained that the sit-at-home threat could jeopardise the concerted efforts being made by Igbo elders to find solutions to the insecurity and also secure the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
He said, “I read on social media that a militant group has stated the coming of the President to the Southeast. Please I want to appeal to whosoever, or group, behind the statement to please withdraw that threat.
“I will meet the President along with some Igbo leaders and elders about the security of our region, which is interwoven in the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu.