The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, has appealed to the Federal Government to release Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to enable him to receive proper medical treatment.
In a brief video message sent to our correspondent on Thursday, Azuta-Mbata also urged Igbos nationwide to register for the ongoing voter registration exercise and obtain their voter cards.
Kanu’s detention remains a major political and security issue in Nigeria. Initially arrested in 2015 on charges of treasonable felony, Kanu jumped bail in 2017 and fled the country. He was later rearrested in Kenya in June 2021 during a controversial operation by Nigerian security forces and has since been held by the Department of State Services.
Azuta-Mbata also called for a political resolution to the matter, asserting that the government has no significant benefit from Kanu’s continued detention. He emphasized that the safety and well-being of the IPOB leader should be prioritized, with the government allowing him to seek necessary medical care.
Azuta-Mbata stated: “I urge all Igbos across Nigeria to take advantage of the ongoing voter registration and obtain their voter cards as soon as possible.
“Additionally, I call on the federal government to release Nnamdi Kanu without delay. There is no real advantage in keeping him in detention. The government must ensure his safety and welfare and allow him to receive medical attention immediately. A political solution is the best approach here, as further detention does not serve the country’s interest.”
