Deputy Reps speaker renews lobby for Kanu’s release

House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu has renewed lobby for the release of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) Leader Nnamdi Kanu. 

Kalu said he recently met with President Bola Tinubu on the need for Igbo elders to visit  him over issues affecting the Southeast, especially insecurity.   

“The last time I was with Mr. President, I discussed with him, the need for the elders of Igboland to come, sit and engage with him.   I know that one of the topics that will come up there is this our brother(Kanu),” a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, quoted him  as saying.

Kalu, according to the statement  made available to reporters yesterday spoke  during the special edition of “The Ben Kalu’s Mandate,” a radio programme on FLO FM, Umuahia, Abia State.

The deputy speaker added that the Igbo elders  would   discuss the establishment of Southeast Development Commission (SEDC) already approved by the National Assembly and thank him for “ all the good things, including  the appointments,  he has been given to Igbo people.”   

Kalu said as an individual, he believed that while the trial of the IPOB leader over treason continues, political solution could yield  fast result that would restore the much-needed peace in the Southeast.

He described Kanu as brother from the same place   he would not like to abandon.

His words: “Peace in Southeast Project (PISE-P) has reconcilation in the mix of what we are trying to achieve. We recognise  the importance of our brother, Nnamdi Kanu, in the peace agenda we are pushing. That’s the truth.

“I have been very vocal about it. I am not hiding it. I have always told people that I will never deny Nnamdi Kanu. He’s my brother. We come from the same place and I will never be happy having him incarcerated when we can have him out and increase our pursuit towards peace.

“But we may not advance all the things we are doing backdoor but I can assure you that all the powers-that-be in this country know that people like us are not sitting on the fence.

“I don’t know about the next person but I am talking about Benjamin Okezie Kalu. I am not sitting on the fence about it. I am lobbying.

“We cannot go about this before the court. I am more interested in using a political solution towards resolving this. So, I am asking for one or two things from the Federal Government.

“While  the court is doing what they are doing, I will not truncate legal processes but some of us are not afraid to identify with him and to ask for him to be released. Any other thing can follow up after that.

 “So, that is what is going on at the moment and those  who are close to him(Kanu) will assure you we are working closely on this mandate. Is it achievable? The answer is yes.”

The deputy speaker expressed happiness with Kanu’s recent comment distancing IPOB from the violence in the Southeast. 

 He said: “I am happy with the statement that he made the last time he was in court. He said all those who are causing violence are not IPOB people, that anybody who is using his name to be causing violence is a hater of Ndi Igbo.

 “Igbos are not known for violence. We are known for trade and  being creative. Call it Nollywood, we are  the engine room that started the creative industry. We are not thieves, not known for violence. We put our energy towards creating wealth.”

 “We are not  killers and anybody coming now to introduce what is strange to us, it’s either the person is not an Igbo man or we should question where he is coming from.

 “Burning things down is not how we show our strength. How we show our strength is that when we enter your community, we make wealth to better our lives. That’s our strength.

 “I am happy he sounded that warning. I am happy we are coming together to achieve it. “

 The deputy speaker   called  on people of  the Southeast to support the Tinubu government as it struggles to tackle problems it inherited.

 His words: “Let’s be calm. Let’s support this government. And I want to thank the people of the south east for not joining the protest.   I want to thank Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo for sending out messages and saying no, we should not protest too. Number one reason: The President from the South. He didn’t create the problem. He’s also  giving us appointments. So, we must give him the support.

 “As we are asking Mr. President to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu for us and giving us South East Development Commission, we  must on the other show him loyalty by making sure that there is peace in our area.”