Mbazuluike Amechi, others demand immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu

www.odogwublog.com reports that the first Republic Minister for Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi this afternoon led other Southern leaders to demand for immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu.

The leaders were infuriated by the continued detention of the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra ( IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu despite court rulings ordering his release, leaders from Southern Nigeria have demanded his immediate release.

This position was adopted by the leaders after their meeting  on Tuesday in Umuahia, Abia State, under the aegis of the Expanded Elders/Management Committee meeting of the Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly (SNPA) .

The meeting which was chaired by the   was massively attended by elder statesmen and opinion leaders from the South West, South South, and South East geopolitical zones.

The leaders who brainstormed on the various boiling national issues in the country accused President Muhammadu Buhari of fragrant abuse of the rule of law, warning that the President's actions pose a serious threat to Nigeria's unity.

They bluntly told Buhari to immediately release Kanu and other unlawfully- held citizens , and refrain from his dictatorial tendencies to save Nigeria from avoidable turmoil.

The demand for Kanu's immediate release was contained in an 11- point communique issued by the elders and signed by : Chief Mbazulike Amaechi (Chairman of Session); Chief Edwin  Clark, (Co-Chairman/Leader South South); and Senator Femi Okurounmu (Representing Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi, Co-Chairman/Leader South West).

It read in part: "That President Buhari should respect the rule of law, pronouncement and ruling of Courts of competent jurisdiction by ensuring the immediate release of Nnamdi Kalu and all other prisoners of conscience which various courts have granted bail and who have subsequently met their bail conditions. 

"The principle of separation of power must be applied to advance our democracy and strict adherence to acceptable dignified tenets of investigation, arrest and prosecution be applied."

The Southern leaders also  urged the President to engage Biafra agitators and Niger Delta Avengers in meaningful dialogue instead of using for e to suppress them.

 "We call on the Federal Government to negotiate with the Niger Delta agitators/Avengers and the agitators for Biafra to find a peaceful resolution of their grievances rather than the current use of force."

They insisted on restructuring of Nigeria as a way to save the country from the looming danger claiming that Nigeria as currently structure only serves the interest of the North.

The Southern leaders expressed worry over the undue influence of Northern elders on President Buhari, which they said accounts for his lopsided appointments in favour of the North.

" We demand that  the Northern Elders desist from infusing the present administration the “we versus them” mentality which is responsible for creating division and suspicion in the polity. Therefore the government should consciously ensure equitable distribution of appointments and projects.

" The extant and lopsided appointments into Federal positions and offices which indeed, are skewed against the people of Southern Nigeria especially the South East and South South is unacceptable, unconstitutional and is capable of eroding the confidence of the people of the Southern Nigeria on the ability of this government to protect their interest", the leaders noted.

They also demanded the immediate implementation of the recommendations of the 2014 national conference to save Nigeria from imploding considering the upsurge of tensions in various regions.   

"We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to take positive steps to ensure the implementation of the resolutions of the 2014 National Conference without further delay.

" The unwillingness of the President Buhari administration to begin the implementation of the resolutions of the 2014 National Conference is objectionable as the resolutions of that Conference if implemented shall resolve the many political, socio-economic and security challenges of the nation."

The leaders noted with great concern the orgy of attacks on Southern communities by herdsmen and the docility of the federal government in calling the mindless killers to order.

" The herdsmen attack in Southern Nigeria is a reoccurring feature despite repeated calls to the Federal Government to deal with this issue  decisively.

"The rampaging  attacks, raping, wanton destructions of lives and properties of innocent Nigerians have continued unabated particularly the recent killings in Enugu state, Benue State which borders with Cross River state does not make for peaceful co-existence and stability  of the country."

The leaders , therefore, urged all Southern states to adopt the Ekiti State model in tackling the herdsmen menace, while also urging the States' Houses of Assembly in the South to legislate against the controversial grazing bill.

"That the National Assembly and State Assemblies should legislate the prohibition of nomadic grazing by herds men and the establishment of grazing reserves and ranches with public funds. We therefore call on the National Assembly to oppose the grazing bill in both chambers. 

"That the Southern Governors and the States Assemblies of the South are advised to follow the Ekiti Model of handling the Herdsmen attack without rancor.

"That the draft ill-conceived Grazing bill which seeks to establish grazing reserves across the states of Nigeria is not only anachronistic and antiquated, but also an unfortunate imposition of what ought to be private commercial business ventures into a national or government business".

The leaders also noted with concern the rapid collapse in the nation’s infrastructure especially the supply of power, the deplorable state of Federal roads in Southern Nigeria and their negative impact on our economy.

"As a matter of urgency, government should find solution to our infrastructural deficit, particularly electricity supply and rehabilitation of Federal roads in Southern Nigeria."

Voicing their strong opposition to the rumoured plans to sell national assets, the leaders tasked Buhari to look for ways to fix  Nigeria's wobbling economy which has made life frustrating and unaffordable for the masses.

"We oppose the present proposal for sale of Public assets in any guise to avoid further abuse and misappropriation.

" We are alarmed  at the unprecedented loss in value of Naira against other major foreign currencies which has resulted in the inability of the business and manufacturing sectors to source enough foreign exchange for their operations. This development has reduced the productive capacity of the real sector leading to increased unemployment and has brought untold hardship to Nigerians.

"The inability of many state governments to pay salaries and pensions duly has brought untold hardship to the families of hard working Nigerians."

While supporting the anti- graft crusade, the leaders cautioned Buhari against using it as a cover to hoodwink his perceived political foes.

    

" We call on Nigerians to support Buhari in the war against corruption but in doing this, we urge him to respect the rule of law, the protection of citizens fundamental rights and the pronouncements of the Courts of competent jurisdiction. 

"The President should note that the war on corruption should neither be vindictive nor selective as selective justice amounts to injustice.

"The fight against corruption should be total and inclusive. Where prosecution, conviction and recovery of loot should be applied irrespective of status, political affiliation and ethnicity. Plea bargaining should be discontinued."

The leaders also advocated economic cooperation among Southern governors for the economic advancement of the region. 

"That the SNPA in collaboration with Southern Governors organize a Southern Economic Summit for economic collaboration and cooperation between the states and to enhance economic diversification."

Some of the Southern elders at the meeting were: former Governor of Old Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife; former Military Administrator of Akwa Ibom State, Otuekong Idongesit Nkang; and Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

Others were former Senate President, Adolf Wabara; former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Senator Kofo Bucknor  Akerele;  Sen. Anthony Adefuyi; and former Minister for Women Affairs,  Iyom Josepine Anenih.

Present also were:  Gen Tony Etukudoh;  former Nigeria Ambassador to the US, Prof George Obiozor; ex- Minister for Health, Professor Ihechukwu Madubuike; Sen Adelekan;  and Senator Bassey  Ewa Henshaw.

Others included: Rt.    Hon Tunde Akogun; Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa; Sen Roland Owie; Col. Pam Oga, Chief Simon Nsobundu Okeke ; and the Chancellor of Gregory University , Dr. Greg Ibe, among a host of others.

The Abia  State Governor Dr Okezie Ikpeazu; his deputy, Rt. Hon Ude Oko Chukwu; Speaker Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martins Azubuike; and members of Abia state executive council as well as eminent sons and daughters of the state also attended the forum.