Eko Hot Blog reports that Edwin Clark, the leader of the Ijaw nation, has called on President Bola Tinubu to direct the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to file a nolle prosequi for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Clark urged Tinubu to instruct the Attorney General to facilitate Kanu’s release, emphasizing that his (Kanu’s) freedom on political grounds is long overdue.
This appeal was made in a second letter to the President on Sunday. In a previous letter, the elder statesman had urged Tinubu not to follow the path of his predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari, who marginalized and subjugated the Igbos by excluding them from certain appointments.
“The release of Nnamdi Kanu by Mr. President on political grounds is overdue as earlier explained. Mr. President should direct the Attorney General to enter a nolle prosequi to free Nnamdi Kanu who has shown his intention to work with the Federal Government to bring peace and stability in the South-East and to Nigerians as a whole, as it has been recently done in similar cases of treasonable felony as in the case of Miyetti Allah president, Abdullahi Bello Bodejo of Nasarawa state,” Clark stated.
Recall that Kanu was denied bail in April by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, who granted an accelerated hearing instead.
In his letter, Clark mentioned that releasing Kanu would complete the reconciliation of Nigeria and end the sit-at-home order in the Southeast.
He explained that the IPOB had “fashioned a place for itself” in the hearts and minds of young people due to the long-standing marginalization of Igbos from the South East. Clark advocated for the use of the “carrot and stick approach” rather than military force in addressing the region’s agitations.
“Apart from demanding the restructuring of Nigeria, the political freedom of Nnamdi Kanu will no doubt complete the reconciliation of Nigeria and bring an end to the needless Monday sit-at-home order, which has disturbed businesses and civil activities in the South-East.
“The short-changing 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 Southeast 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 Leaders Forum there.
“None of these youths witnessed the civil war and are, definitely, not abreast with the history of the war and its full ramifications. I advise, therefore, that rather than the use of military force which has already proved counter-productive, they should be carefully treated with the ‘carrot and stick approach,’ in the interest of the peace, stability, and progress of Nigeria as a whole and the Southeast zone in particular.”
Clark further emphasized the importance of reintegrating the Igbos into the mainstream of Nigeria, ensuring their region is equal to other regions in the country. He added that anything short of that would not be in the country’s interest.
“Let me re-emphasize the importance and urgency of reintegrating the Igbos into the mainstream of Nigeria where their region will be equal with other regions in all ramifications, meaning that they should be fully and unconditionally united or be admitted into the Union of Nigeria as it was before the civil war.
“Anything short of that is not in the interest of a united Nigeria and there may be no end to the insecurity in Nigeria.”
Clark also called for the restructuring of Nigeria, highlighting that President Tinubu had been a principal advocate for restructuring before becoming a Senator and the Governor of Lagos State. He added that restructuring the country “will be one of your most enduring legacies when you leave office.”
“Mr President, you have always been the principal advocate of restructuring even before you became Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Governor of Lagos State.
“During your time, you passionately advocated for a Sovereign National Conference, which was even more inclusive than the current restructuring we are demanding, in Nigeria. Undoubtedly, this pursuit of restructuring will be one of your most enduring legacies when you leave office,” he added.
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