Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Sowore and President Bola Tinubu
The Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), a pan-Igbo Socio Cultural organization, has stressed that there are no cogent reasons for the continued incarceration of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by the Directorate of State Security (DSS), describing him as a political hostage of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
ADF appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order for his release just as his colleague, President William Ruto of Kenya, professed that it was against international law and diplomacy, to have bundled Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in Kenya and smuggled him into Nigeria.
Alaigbo Development Foundation made the appeal in its press statement jointly signed by it’s Chairman, Board of Trustees, Emeritus Professor T. Uzodinma Nwala and President, Nze Coleman Emeka Chukwudolunzu, made available to newsmen in Enugu.
Part of ADF press statement reads, “We are aware that even the Nigerian Judiciary,as lame-duck as they are under the present political circumstances in Nigeria,has on one occasion or the other made certain pronouncements in favour of Nnamdi Kanu’s release.
“Unfortunately, those pronouncements have been ignored and over-ruled by the Directorate of State Security (DSS), which is directly under the control of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Who is presently your dear self, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”.
ADF said they are consolidating on the previous appeals for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu made by great Nationalists, legal luminaries, political leaders, among others.
The statement read further, “We remember that our Veteran Nationalist,one of those in the forefront of the struggle for Nigeria’s Independence, Chief Mbazuluike Amaechi, died in the course of his campaign and appeal to the Federal Government for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from his present state of political hostage by the Federal Government of Nigeria over whose affairs, you now preside.
“We are aware that several legal luminaries in Nigeria have selflessly been going in and out of the Federal Courts, including the Supreme Court, engaged in legal and constitutional struggles for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Under a rule-governed society, this matter should have ended long before now. But no! Not in Nigeria!” ADF stated.
ADF stressed that even President Willam Ruto of Kenya has advised President Tinubu to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention or send him back to Kenya, from where he was abducted.
“Mr President, In recent times, His Excellency, President William Ruto of Kenya, has protested over the manner, contrary to international law and diplomacy, how Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was captured and smuggled back to Nigeria. He has requested the Government of Nigeria, presently under your leadership to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu or send him back to Kenya”.
ADF pleaded with President Tinubu for the sake of humanity and also for the sake of rule of law and good governance to grant the request of all the groups and associations, including the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, World Igbo Congress, Igbo Town Unions, Youth Organizations, for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
ADF questioned what made Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case different from that of Sunday Igboho, a Yoruba? different from that of Ibrahim Yaqoub El-Zakzaky, a Fulani? ADF lamented the inhuman condition under which Nnamdi Kanu is being hostage, stating it is worse than how animals are treated in civilised countries.
Alaigbo Development Foundation appealed to President Tinubu to see reason the Foundation alongside others within, and outside Nigeria are pleading for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
ADF concluded, “Dear Mr President, in the light of the above, you can see why for most people within and outside Nigeria, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not in any legal detention. He is indeed, very unequivocally a Political hostage of the Federal Government of Nigeria. The only Authority that can release him is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This is necessary to redeem the image of Nigeria in this instance.”
