South Daily
Related Articles
Ohanézè Ndígbo Youth Council Worldwide (OYC) on yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to grant presidential pardon to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Leader, Nnamdi Kanu to allow him enter the country to attend his parents burial.
This recommendation was made in a joint statement by the OYC President General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro and Secretary, Okwu Nnabuike.
Kanu has been on self-exile since 2017 when the Army invaded his Umuahia country home during operation Python Dance.
His parents who died last year are to be buried next weekend. His father, Eze I. Ọ. Kanu was until his death, the traditional ruler of his Afaraukwu community, Umuahia, Abia State.
There are reports of military presence around the community since the announcement of the late Kanus’ burial. OYC expressed worry over the reports of the continued military presence in the area and called for their withdrawal.
The group said such presence could further damage the image of the Buhari administration in the eyes of the international community.
The organization said: “Ohaneze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide is worried about the military Presence at Kanu’s Village,Afaraukwu Umuahia,Abia State few days to the burial of Eze I. O. Kanu and his wife.
“We appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to consider the international damage it will cause to the reputation and image of Nigeria to the outside world, as the international community is keenly watching to see if there will be any form of human rights violations and abuses by the Nigerian military before, during and after the burial rites of the Igbo paramount ruler and his wife next weekend.
“OYC insists there’s no need for any provocative action promoting violence by Nigerian military before, during and after the burial of Eze Kanu, because Abia State is calm and secure.
“Buhari should pull out the military and accord the last respect for the late King by granting permission and presidential pardon to Nnamdi Kanu to return and bury his parents according to Igbo tradition and culture”.
OYC also urged the President to attend or send a delegation to the burial of the IPOB leader’s late parents. The group said such gesture as a presidential pardon to Nnamdi Kanu, release of other Biafra agitators in detention and sending delegation to the burial will be applauded by both the international community and Nigerians at home, and will attract more respect for President Muhammadu Buhari the same way as the presidential gesture granted to the late MKO Abiola.
