Leaders of the South East geopolitical zone have demanded the unconditional release of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, by the Federal Government.
The leaders made the demand in a statement issued and signed by persons covering several strata of the zone on Friday.
The statement, which was released in Awka, the Anambra State capital, said the release of Kanu will douse the current tension across the South East and create an atmosphere for collaboration towards a constructive resolution of the issues.
The statement was signed by Obi Nnaemeka Achebe, Chairman, Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council; His Grace, Archbishop Valerian Okeke, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha and Metropolitan of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province; Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, Secretary to the Anambra State Government; Igwe Laurence Agubuzu, Chairman, Ebonyi State Traditional Rulers Council; and Most Rev. Chibuzo R. Opoko, Secretary.
The statement said: “We recognize that there is country-wide agitation for restructuring of inter-ethnic and inter-governmental relations in Nigeria, with a view to greater inclusiveness.
“We therefore share the genuine concern over the political and economic marginalisation of the Southeast Geo-Political Zone of Nigeria, a major plank of the agitation by the IPOB.
“We call for constructive and continuous dialogue by all parties as a more sustainable solution to overcoming the challenge and win the hearts and minds of the people.
“We call on all criminal elements masquerading as working under the instruction of IPOB or ESN to cease and desist from further acts of violence and criminality or face the implacable force of law and order.
“We call on all who may have taken up arms in the belief that their grievances could be achieved only through armed struggle to lay down their arms. The government and good people of Anambra hereby offer the olive branch for you all to return. The Anambra State government hereby undertakes to train, rehabilitate and empower you to contribute to our homeland development. The centres where our youths can register for help will be announced shortly.
“We call on all injured, aggrieved and victims of the insecurity in Alaigbo over the past three years to step forward and cooperate with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that will be inaugurated by the Anambra State Government next week to conduct an inquiry into the remote and immediate causes of the agitations, documentation and examination of the circumstances surrounding the killings in the south east, and recommendations on the road to sustainable solutions.”
The leaders declared April 4, 2022 as a day of prayer for peace in Igboland and called on the faithful wherever they reside across Nigeria or abroad to pause and join in fellowship, adding that the prayers were meant to seek the face of God.
They said: “It is the expectation of the joint body that the conclusion of the prayer session shall mark the end of sit-at-home in Anambra State in particular and the Southeast region in general.
“The march towards peace and the restoration of normalcy in our society and economy require the collective action of all people of God.”