Despite the conviction of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB) leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the Abia State government and various stakeholders continue to work towards securing his freedom. Dr. Chukwuemeka Okwuonu, President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Abia State, disclosed this in Umuahia, while also expressing concern over the low participation of Ndigbo in the ongoing voter registration exercise.
Okwuonu emphasized that Kanu’s case remains very important to their organization and assured that Ohanaeze Ndigbo would persist in urging President Bola Tinubu to grant Kanu a state pardon.
“Government and Abia people are equally working to ensure that the president will exercise his powers to grant him pardon,” Okwuonu stated.
Speaking after the maiden expanded executive meeting of the Abia Ohanaeze chapter, which included state executives and chairmen of the 17 local government areas, Okwuonu recalled that the group had previously appealed for Kanu’s release before his conviction.
He said, “The issue of Nnamdi Kanu is very dear to Ohanaeze Ndigbo. I remember in our meeting in Awka during the Igbo Day celebration, the national President, Senator Azuta Mbata, clearly demanded that there should be political negotiation and that Kanu should be freed unconditionally before he was jailed.”
Okwuonu added that even after Kanu’s conviction, Ohanaeze Ndigbo continues to press for his pardon. “If people who committed heinous crimes in this country were given pardon, the man who only used the microphone, without gun, can equally be given pardon.”
He concluded by appealing, “We, as Abia State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, are appealing that our dear President should, please, grant pardon to Nnamdi Kanu.”
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