The Leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Pa Edwin Clark, has demanded the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Mr Kanu has been on trial since 2016 over his pursuit of sovereignty for the South-East region of Nigeria.
Pa Clark said the situation with Mr Kanu and his agitation could only be resolved politically on the basis of equality, and in the interest of peace and stability in the country.
In an open letter just released, he urged President Bola Tinubu to direct Lateef Fagbemi, the attorney-general of the federation (AGF), to drop all charges against Nnamdi Kanu.
Clark said although he has “never supported the activities of IPOB under the leadership of Nnamdi Kanu, but today, Nigeria is a broken country where many groups and communities have cried foul about the way Nigeria has been governed since 1999 due to the military-imposed constitution.”
He said he observed that in Nigeria, “some people are treated as second-class citizens while a few enjoy the fruits of the so-called democracy we are experiencing.”
Equity Will Unite Nigeria
Clark pointed out how “treasonable felony” charges were recently dropped for the Miyetti Allah president, Abdullahi Bello Bodejo of Nasarawa state, and wondered why similar “nolle prosequi” could not be entered into in the courts “to free Nnamdi Kanu, who has shown his intention to work with the federal government to bring peace and stability in the South-East and to Nigeria as a whole”.
The 96-year-old First Republic politician warned that, “If this continues, the consequences will be very unpleasant for all Nigerians.
“The unity of Nigeria can only be achieved and sustained if every part of the country is treated equally with the other parts, in all respects.
“No one can play God over Nigeria, and no section owns this country more than any other section. We want Mr. President to reassure Nigerians of our oneness.”
Furthermore, Clark said it was important and urgent to reintegrate the Igbos into the mainstream of Nigeria as it was before the civil war.
Mr Kanu and his group continue highlighting perceived injustices as the basis for their demand for a separate entity.
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