South-East leaders and governors have reiterated their call for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, imprisoned leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to reduce the security challenges in the region.

They said the continuous incarceration of Mr Kanu, even after a court of competent jurisdiction had freed him, had worsened the security situation in the zone.

The leaders made the call during the 2023 Igbo Day Celebration, organised by the Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide and hosted by Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State on Friday in Enugu.

The event, which was chaired by Prince Arthur Eze, the Chief Executive Officer of Atlas Oranto Petroleum Limited, had many prominent Igbo sons and daughters from the five southeast states, including Rivers and Delta States, in attendance.

Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the President General of Ohaneze Worldwide, said most of the killings in the zone are blamed on the non-release of Mr Kanu from detention.

He said Ohanaeze Ndigbo had carefully reviewed Mr Kanu’s case and could not find any just reason why he could not be released.

The president general said Ohaneze had for several months pleaded with the federal government to release him.

“I hereby once again, on behalf of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, appeal to the FG to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, more so when a court of competent jurisdiction in Nigeria has declared him innocent.

“As the president general of Ohaneze Ndigbo, I consider myself a father, and it pains me so much when my children are killed on a daily basis.

“It pains me when most of them have both their lives and livelihoods destroyed. I will strongly appeal to the FG in view of the fact that over the past two years, the situation has persisted. We need to adopt a non-kinetic approach,” he said.

He added that he strongly believed that if Mr Kanu was released and a non-kinetic approach was adopted, the unnecessary killings and destruction of lives and property would be reduced and even stopped.

Mr Iwuanyanwu, who described the Igbo Day celebration as an important event for all Igbos, said the event was the beginning of a turnaround for southeast development and transformation.

In an opening remark, Arthur Eze said it had become necessary for the leadership of Ohanaeze to positively engage the FG for the release of Mr Kanu, whose reported health condition attracts huge sympathy.

He explained that Igbos had made some cases relating to marginalisation in the past, and while some of the cases may have had merit, “I am of the view that long-lasting results can be achieved through roundtable discussions, strong undivided leadership, and an organised political structure”.

“Based on this, no number of meetings with the FG or political consultations on the matter will be too many.

“If the governors fail to do something urgently to arrest the current financial and human capital flight currently being experienced in the southeast, the trend will continue to do irreparable damage to the posterity of the people,” Mr Eze said.

While congratulating President Bola Tinubu for his victory at the polls, Mr Eze appealed to him to accommodate more Igbos in his administration.

Speaking, Ebonyi Governor, Francis Nwifuru, represented by his deputy, Patricia Obila, emphasised the need for all Igbos to unite and speak with one voice to ensure the speedy release of Mr Kanu as well as the development of Igboland.

Welcoming the celebrants, Governor Mbah of Enugu said he was excited about the large turnout of people that attended the event.

He also expressed the need for the Igbos to unite to realise their full potential toward developing the region.

The governor also said there was a need for the states in the Southeast to see themselves as a single entity and engage in huge investments to develop the area.

While appreciating Ohaneze for organising the Igbo Day, the Governor of Anambra State, Charles Soludo, said Igbos should stop lamenting insecurity in the zone but acknowledge that “today is better than yesterday”.

He said, “There is no crime-free society anywhere in the world,” adding that the Southeast governors should work together for the benefit of all Igbos.

“Our future is in Nigeria, Africa, and the world, and an itinerary tribe shouldn’t be an intolerable nation”.

The highlights of the event were the state-by-state dances and the award of honours to Igbo past heroes.

(NAN)