Ohanaeze to Buhari: Tell Nigerians the truth on arrest, trial of Nnamdi Kanu

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Igbo-socio cultural group, has implored former President Muhammadu Buhari to tell Nigerians the “truth” on the arrest and trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB). 

BACKGROUND

In 2021, the IPOB leader was extradited to Nigeria after he jumped bail and fled the country, following his arraignment for alleged terrorism, treasonable felony, and incitement.

He has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his extradition.

Buhari was quoted to have said that bringing Kanu back to face trial in Nigeria was a favour.

The comment was attributed to Buhari by Femi Adesina, his former spokesperson, in “Working with Buhari: Reflections of a Special Adviser, Media and Publicity (2015-2023)”, a new book unveiled in Abuja last week.

Adesina narrated how a group known as Highly-Respected Igbo Greats, led by Mbazulike Ameachi, a first republic minister of aviation, pleaded with the former president to release Kanu.

In the book, Buhari said the federal government, under his watch, had the option to eliminate Kanu but brought him to Nigeria to face trial, which he noted was the best option for all parties.

Reacting to the former president’s comments, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, secretary-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in a statement on Tuesday, said Buhari’s confession of the killing option of Kanu is a “flagrant validation of international conspiracy against the Igbo”.

The group asked Buhari to “summon the righteous resolve within him and provide Nigerians with an unambiguous account of the truth”.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the unwavering voice of the Igbo people, demands that Former President Muhammadu Buhari face the Nigerian populace and answer for his alleged involvement in an egregious international conspiracy against the Igbo during his tenure,” the statement reads.

“At Ohanaeze Ndigbo, we initially dismissed these stone-cold international conspiracy theories against our beloved Igbo brethren.

“However, our suspicions have now transformed into certainties, thanks to the spine-tingling revelations made by Mr. Femi Adeshina, the former spokesperson for Former President Buhari.

“Adeshina chillingly admitted that ‘there was indeed a contemplation of the killing option before adopting the strategy of subjecting Nnamdi Kanu to court prosecution’.

“These admissions now expose the nefarious web in which Buhari’s government entangled itself, willingly executing the scripts of international conspirators against the Igbo in their unjust arrest of Nnamdi Kanu.

“The blatant disregard for court pronouncements and verdicts in favor of Nnamdi Kanu’s release further strengthens our suspicions, suggesting a sordid partnership with international forces.

“There can be no more delay; the time for truth-telling is now. Ohanaeze Ndigbo implores Former President Buhari to summon the righteous resolve within him and provide Nigerians with an unambiguous account of the truth.

“Justice and transparency demand nothing less. The Igbo people, alongside the entirety of Nigeria, deserve honesty and accountability.”