By our reporter/ President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said he will consider the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
President Buhari made the disclosure when he hosted a group led by Mbazulike Amaechi, former minister of aviation, according to a statement by presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina.
According to the statement, the 93-year-old statesman appealed for the release of Kanu who is currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Buhari said though the unconditional release of Kanu contradicts the doctrine of separation of powers between the executive and judiciary, he will consider it.
“You’ve made an extremely difficult demand on me as leader of this country. The implication of your request is very serious. In the last six years, since I became President, nobody would say I have confronted or interfered in the work of the judiciary,” Buhari was quoted to have said.
“God has spared you, and given you a clear head at this age, with very sharp memory. A lot of people half your age are confused already. But the demand you made is heavy. I will consider it.
“I said the best thing was to subject him to the system (judiciary). Let him make his case in court, instead of giving very negative impressions of the country from the outside. I feel it’s even a favour to give him that opportunity.”
The President condoled with Amaechi who recently buried his wife and prayed that her soul would rest in peace.
In his remarks, Amaechi had described the situation in the South East as “painful and pathetic,” lamenting that businesses have collapsed, education was crumbling, fear has begun to manifest everywhere.
He pleaded for a political, rather than military solution, requesting that if Kanu was released to him as the only First Republic Minister alive, “he (Kanu) would no longer say the things he had been saying.”
The former minister promised to control Kanu, “not because I have anything to do with them (IPOB), but I am highly respected in Igbo land today.”
He stated that he had interfaced with Nnamdi Kanu in the past twice, and the latter rescinded orders earlier given on civil disobedience.
“I don’t want to leave this planet without peace returning to my country. I believe in one big, united Nigeria, a force in Africa. Mr President, I want you to be remembered as a person who saw Nigeria burning, and you quenched the fire,” Amaechi told his host.
Other people in the visiting delegation were former Anambra State Governor, Chukwuemeka Ezeife; Bishop Sunday Onuoha of the Methodist Church, former President of Igbo socio-cultural group, Aka Ikenga, Goddy Uwazurike; and Mr Tagbo Amaechi.
The separatist IPOB leader is facing charges bordering on treasonable felony instituted against him by the federal government.
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