The United Igbo Elders Council (UNIEC) Worldwide has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, as a goodwill gesture for Christmas and New Year.
In a statement signed by UNIEC Director General, Justice Alpha Ikpeama, and Media Director Prof. Obasi Igwe, the council emphasized that Kanu’s release would mark a significant milestone for the Tinubu administration, fostering healing, unity, and peace across the Southeast and the nation at large.
The group declared full support for the ongoing high-level discussions advocating Kanu’s freedom, including assurances from Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, about its imminence.
“Facilitating Kanu’s release would not only showcase President Tinubu’s commitment to peace but also serve as a symbolic act of reconciliation and inclusivity, enhancing dialogue needed to address pressing national challenges,” the statement noted.
In solidarity with this cause, UNIEC announced the postponement of its Igbo Achievers Legacy Award, initially slated for December 2024, to April 2025. The elders explained that true celebration can only take place when justice and equity are achieved.
The council commended Southeast leaders for championing this initiative and urged all Nigerians to intensify prayers and advocacy for Kanu’s release.
They also lauded President Tinubu’s proactive steps toward national unity and development, expressing hope that granting Kanu freedom would solidify his legacy as a unifier and statesman.
“This act of goodwill would restore trust, hope, and joy not only to the Southeast but to Nigeria as a whole,” the council concluded.
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