Biafra: Freedom beckons as South East governors move to secure Nnamdi Kanu’s release

Governors from the South East, under the South East Governors’ Forum, convened in Enugu on Tuesday to strategize on securing the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The governors resolved to meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to advocate for Kanu’s release and discuss other critical regional and national issues.

The Forum’s decisions were outlined in a communiqué read by the Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, after their meeting at the Lion Building, Government House, Enugu. Uzodimma, flanked by his colleagues Alex Otti of Abia, Charles Soludo of Anambra, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, and the host governor, Peter Mbah of Enugu State, emphasized that releasing Kanu would promote peace in the region.

The governors believe that Kanu’s release would create an opportunity for further dialogue to address the ongoing insecurity in the South East.

The communiqué also highlighted the Forum’s deliberations on the South East Security and Economic Summit’s reviewed report, held in Owerri on September 28, 2023. They agreed to implement the report’s recommendations related to security and economic integration, expressing a commitment to actionable plans on these key issues.

Additionally, the governors expressed condolences to the governments and people of Abia, Ebonyi, and Imo States, the South East region, Nigeria, and Chief Ogbonnaya Onu’s family on the passing of Ogbonnaya Onu, the former Minister of Science and Technology. In preparation for his burial, the Forum announced a nine-man burial committee chaired by former Senate President, Senator Pius Anyim.

During the meeting, the Forum also received a delegation including former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations Chief Emeka Anyaoku, and the Obi of Onitsha, HRM Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe.