Anthony Iwuoma
The Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, has disclosed that President Muhamadu Buhari is ready for a political solution to the continuous incarceration of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Umahi made the disclosure while speaking to State House Correspondents after he paid a thank-you visit to Buhari in Abuja.
He said he was at the State House to deliver an appreciation letter form the leaders of the South-east region, for his recent working visit to Ebonyi and by extension the South East.
“I came to the Villa to see the President and give him a thank you letter from South-East leaders, which expresses their deep appreciation for the visit of the President on a two-day working visit to Ebonyi State, by extension South-East.
“I thought it necessary to do that as quickly as possible, our people are deeply very happy with the President and very appreciative of all the rewards of that visit,” he said.
The governor also said the people of South-east are not in support of any form of agitation or plans to secede from Nigeria.
According to him, Buhari is not opposed to finding a political solution to Kanu’s matter but the President General of the Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohaneze Ndigbo should initiate the process.
“I had many months back met with the President, where we had very detailed and frank discussion on that particular matter. South-East people are tired and I have always said that we are not totally in support of agitation to secede from the Nigerian nation.
Governor Umahi said: “We want to belong to the Nigerian nation and as the Chairman of the South-east Governors Forum, I have publicly said it, I have defended it, I don’t care about the attacks and those who have taken to the politics of that matter in our place.
READ ALSO: http://2023: I weep for Nigeria; Emefiele has breached CBN Act, – Ex-CBN dep. gov, Kingsley Moghalu
“So, the president graciously granted my request for political solution but you see, when the president repeatedly said the matter is in court, we must appreciate his pedigree and integrity. He cannot just says as a president he is going to destroy the mater in court. But there is always room for dialogue and out of court settlement and that is what we are looking for.
“He has said your cultural leadership should be able to initiate that with Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer but this is over six months and we have been begging the President of Ohaneze to take up that responsibility. So, that is the position and we are waiting for the President of Ohaneze to kick-start this political dialogue.
“I have met with the Attorney General of the Federation, he is very well disposed to it. I have also met with the Director General of the State Security Services and he is also disposed same with the Inspector General of Police. So, the ball is in our hand.”
