The family of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has criticized the South East Governors for not doing enough to secure his release.
Speaking in Umuahia on Friday during a memorial in honor of their late parents, HRM Eze Israel and Ugoeze Sally Kanu, Prince Emmanuel Kanu accused the governors of lacking genuine commitment to Kanu’s freedom.
“South East Governors are not doing enough to secure the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. It’s either they are complicit or something. The big question is: Why have they not met with Mr. President on Nnamdi Kanu? The information available to us is that Mr. President asked them to meet with him officially over the matter, but up till now, they haven’t done so.
“Are the Governors benefiting from the unrest in the South East or what? What are they afraid of? Free Nnamdi Kanu today and all this tension in the South East will fizzle out in 24 hours because we will now know those hiding under the guise of the agitation for his release to perpetrate crime in the region,” he stated.
The family also condemned the indefinite adjournment of Kanu’s trial, arguing that Justice Binta Nyako no longer had jurisdiction over the case since she had previously recused herself.
“Why is she trying to force herself in the case? Does she have interest in the matter? We have said it severally that she is biased. She has turned down every application to relocate Nnamdi Kanu to prison custody instead of the DSS cell where they have held him for years under severe conditions,” Prince Emmanuel Kanu added.
The family called on the international community to intervene and press for Kanu’s release, insisting that he had committed no crime to warrant his continued detention.
Prince Emmanuel also appreciated Biafran elders and supporters who attended the memorial marking the fifth anniversary of their parents’ passing.
“We are humbled to see the crowd that gathered in our house to honor my late parents, who died as a result of the shock they had when the soldiers raided our house in 2017. Twenty-eight people were killed in our house during that raid. The people have renamed today, February 14, Saint Kanu’s Day to honor my late parents who were buried on February 14. We appreciate everyone for coming, especially those from outside South East States. We are encouraged by their show of love,” he said.
He reaffirmed the family’s demand for Kanu’s release, emphasizing that his advocacy was for the greater good.
“We demand my brother’s release. The issues he raised are germane. His matter is a case of dialogue and meaningful conversation,” he insisted.
In his remarks, the leader of Elders in Biafra land, High Chief Agonsi Ebere, said the gathering was to honor Kanu’s late parents, whom he described as martyrs for the Biafran cause.
“We urge the Federal Government to heed the growing pleas for Kanu’s release. His continued detention will not bring any progress to Nigeria,” Chief Ebere said.
He appealed to President Bola Tinubu to release Kanu to Biafra elders, arguing that such a move would restore peace to the South East.
Adding his voice, the Akwa Ibom Regional head of the group, Aniekan Ekanem, reaffirmed that the masses supported Kanu’s advocacy.
“The masses are behind Kanu because he is championing a good cause,” he stated.
He further clarified that the Biafran movement was not exclusive to the Igbo but included the entire Old Eastern Region.
“Biafra is not an Igbo agenda but affects the people of the Old Eastern region. Akwa Ibom, which is known as ‘Igbo nta’, shares a lot in common with Igbo. We answer Igbo names like Udoh, Onyemaechi, etc. We are all brothers and nothing will separate us,” he said.
Elders from Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and the five South Eastern states were present at the memorial.
