My son won’t stop demanding Biafra, says Kanu’s father

Israel Kanu, traditional ruler of Isiama Afaraukwu in Umuahia, says no inducement can stop Nnamdi Kanu, his son, from demanding an independent state of Biafra.

He appealed to the federal government to withdraw the charges against his son and leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Kanu, who made the appeal in an interview with NAN in Umuahia on Monday, said such a measure would help to foster peace and douse tension in the country.

“I call on the federal government to immediately withdraw all the charges preferred against Kanu in the interest of peace in the country,” he said.

“He did not commit murder. He did not carry arms; neither did he commit any heinous crime to warrant such a government clampdown.

“His only offence was that he expressed his opinion in a democracy where people are free to express themselves without the fear of arrest or molestation.

“He is more than 18 years of age and has become an adult. He is capable of having an independent opinion on any issues. So, I cannot ask him to stop pursuing what he believes in.

“The only thing that can assuage him is to allow him to have Biafra and no amount of inducement, even giving him an oil block would stop not him.”

Kanu, who described the bail conditions given to his son by the federal high  court, Abuja as stringent, thanked Enyinnaya Abaribe, a senator from Abia south; Immanuu El-Shalom,  an Igbo Jewish Rabbi from Port Harcourt, and  Tochukwu Uchendu, a chartered accountant,  for securing his release.

He assured them that his son would not betray the trust they have in him.

He said that while in his palace, young able-bodied members of IPOB volunteered to restrict the number of visitors around their leader “so that he does not run afoul of one of the bail conditions”.

The visibly elated octogenarian described the two-year incarceration of his son as a period of depression.

“Very often, I kept wondering what would be his fate and hoping also that he would not die in detention. I had very strong hope that God would not allow him to die in the cell,” he said.

He also spoke on how he felt when the IPOB leader arrived at his palace on Friday, after regaining his freedom, saying that he felt very happy and excited.

“He looked quite healthy and strong. His looks showed that the prison warders took good care of him, so I was very happy and impressed when I saw him,” he said.

Nnamdi arrived at his country home at Isiama Afaraukwu in Umuahia on Friday to the warm reception of his parents, kinsmen and other relations as well as IPOB members.

The palace has been hosting visitors daily, including traditional rulers, politicians and other members of the community seeking to catch a glimpse of the IPOB leader.

Nnamdi, who was arrested on Oct 14, 2015, has been standing trial on a six-count charge of treasonable felony.

He was granted bail by Binta Nyako on April 25.