Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has expressed deep disappointment over the life imprisonment issued Thursday, by James Omotosho, against Nnamdi Kanu.
John Azuta-Mbata, president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in a statement, signed by, Ezechi Chukwu, its national publicity secretary and obtained by BusinessDay Friday evening, called for calm and on all well meaning Nigerians to join in the effort to appeal to President Bola Tinubu for political solution and national reconciliation.
Beyond the legal questions, Azuta-Mbata said that the Igbo nation is deeply troubled by the pattern of harsh treatment meted out in this case, which many perceived as reflective of ethnic bias.
He said that the perception erodes trust in national institutions and touches directly on the dignity and integrity of the Igbo people.
Ohanaeze is equally alarmed by the worsening insecurity in the South-East, much of which is tied to the prolonged detention of Kanu.
He observed that Kanu’s incarceration has become a flashpoint for unrest, frustration and youth radicalization, stressing that continued hardline responses will only deepen instability.
In the interest of national unity, peace and equity, The President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, urged President Tinubu to adopt a political solution, noting that dialogue, not maximal punishment, which offers the best path toward healing longstanding grievances, restoring calm in the South-East and advancing true national reconciliation.
According to him, “Nigeria stands at a crossroads, only justice anchored on fairness, sensitivity and inclusiveness can preserve the unity we all desire.”
