Ohanézè Ndígbo Youth Council Worldwide (OYC) on Friday urged President
Muhammadu Buhari to grant Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Leader,
Nnamdi Kanu presidential pardon and allow him entry into the country to
attend his parent’s burial.
President General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro and Secretary, Okwu Nnabuike made the recommendation in a joint statement.
Mr Kanu has been on self-exile since 2017 when the Army invaded his Umuahia country home during operation python dance.
His parents who died last year are to be buried next weekend.
His father, Eze I. Ọ. Kanu was until his death the Traditional Ruler of his Afaraukwu community, Umuahia, Abia State.
There have been reports of millitary presence around the community since the announcement of the late Kanus’ burial.
But
Ohanézè Youths expressed worry over reports of the continued presence
of the Army in the area and called for their withdrawal.
The
group said such presence of the military could further damage the image
of the Buhari administration in the eyes of the international community.
They
said: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide is worried about the
military Presence at Kanu’s Village, Afaraukwu Umuahia, Abia State few
days to the burial of HRM Eze I O Kanu and his wife.
“We appeal
to President Muhammadu Buhari to consider the international damage it
will cause to the reputation and image of Nigeria to the outside World,
as int’l Community are watching keenly to see if there will be any form
of Human Rights violations and Abuses by Nigeria’s Military before,
during and after the burial rites of the Igbo Paramount Ruler and His
wife by next weekend.
“OYC insists there’s no need for any
provocative action promoting violence by Nigeria’s Military before,
during and after the burial of HRM Eze Kanu, because Abia State is calm
and secure.
“Buhari should pull out the Military and accord the
last respect for the late King by granting permission and Presidential
Pardon to Nnamdi Kanu to return and bury his parents according to Igbo
tradition and culture”.
OYC also urged the President to attend or send a delegation to the burial of the IPOB Leader’s late parents.
“There’s
nothing amiss if President Muhammadu Buhari in person or through a high
power delegation attend and send condolence message to the people of
Afaraukwu Umuahia on the demise of their paramount ruler, HRM Eze Kanu
and his wife.
“Such Presidential gesture will portray him as a
good Father of the Nation, irrespective of the self evident Ipob’s
stance on self determination and fight against injustice meted out
against Igbos since after Biafra War Civil 50 years ago.
The
group said such gesture as a presidential pardon to Nnamdi Kanu, release
of other Biafra agitators in detention and sending delegation to the
burial will be applauded by both the International Community and
Nigerians at home, and will attract more respect for President Muhammadu
Buhari the same way as the presidential gesture granted to Late MKO
Abiola.
OYC opined that such gesture will also go a long way in
giving Ndigbo a sense of belonging and restore their confidence in the
Buhari administration.
The group commended Governnor Okezie
Ikpeazụ for agreeing to construct the road leading to the community to
make access to the community easy during the burial.
They also called on other Southeast governors to help in rebuilding the palace of the late Monarch.
“OYC
salutes Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for the kind gesture granted to the
Afaraukwu Umuahia Community through the appeal made by the President
General and the Prime Minister of the Community for a solid road
construction for the community in preparation for the late Paramount
Ruler, HRM Eze Kanu and his wife’s burial”
“OYC urges other South East Governors to rebuild the palace destroyed during the operation python Dance.
The
Apex Igbo Socio-cultural Youth group further urged members of IPOB and
other pro-biafran groups to comport themselves during the burial to make
it a hitch free and peaceful event.
“We urge Biafra agitators to
slow down on any action that might attract negative story during the
burial, there should be no display of biafra flags and uniforms,
protests and other things that might give security agents the impetus to
wade in and wreak hovac during the burial”
“OYC consoles Ndigbo
and Kanu Family on the demise of the Paramount Ruler HRM Eze Kanu and
his wife. May God grant them the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable
loss” the group concluded.