ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Owing to the continued detention of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the traditional rulers in Abia State, have said they would lead a high powered delegation to President Muhamnadu Buhari for ‘a royal truce’.
The royal fathers expressed worry over Kanu’s reported failing health, and said they would have audience with the President as soon as he returns from the United Nations General Assembly trip.
They made this known Thursday evening when they visited Kanu’s family at their Isiama Afaraukwu community in Umuahia North Local Government Area.
The monarchs said that Kanu’s late father, HRM Eze Israel Kanu, was one of them, hence there was no way they could abandon the family in their trying moment.
Fielding questions from newsmen after a closed-door meeting with Kanu’s family, the National Chairman, Royal Fathers of Nigeria, and Chairman, Ikwuano/Umuahia Supreme Council, HRM, Eze Nnamdi Ofoegbu, noted that the ‘royal intervention’ had become necessary to help avoid the bitter consequences of Kanu dying in custody.
He expressed optimism that the President would heed the wise counsel of the Royal Fathers and consider political solution for Kanu in the overall interest of the country.
Eze Ofoegbu who said that the monarchs also used the visit to solidarise with the Kanu family, strongly condemned the 14 September, 2017 military invasion of Kanu’s compound. He described it as a desecration of the royal stool
Speaking also, the former Chairman of Traditional Rulers Council, Umuahia North LGA, and the Traditional Ruler of Okwulaga Afaraukwu Autonomous Community, HRH Eze Eddy Ibeabuchi, lamented the continued detention of Kanu despite appeals by eminent Nigerians and groups for his unconditional release.
He said that it would be unfair for Nnamdi Kanu, “who is fighting against injustice and the deliberate exclusion of Ndigbo from the scheme of things” to be termed a terrorist “while real mass murderers are being pampered by the same Government persecuting a freedom fighter”.
The royal father urged Ndigbo not to abandon Kanu who he said, had sacrificed so much for their survival and freedom.
He added that while Kanu’s legal team continued to explore the legal avenues for his freedom, there was need to also seek political solution to end the stand-off.
Responding, Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, thanked the royal fathers for standing with the family.
He assured them that the family would apply the various “reasonable suggestions” they offered during the closed door meeting.
Prince Emmanuel who regretted that efforts by the family to secure a private physician for Kanu was frustrated by the DSS, sought the intervention of the international community.
”I have made numerous efforts to get him a private physician but each time I try my best, they ( DSS), turn it down. He is going through very difficult times. He is complaining bitterly about his health. He has big issue with his stomach.
“This is the time for the world to come in and say something about that because if he dies there, it is not going to be easy for anyone.
”So, what I’m asking people to do from today is to make sure they sustain the pressure to allow Mazi Nnamdi Kanu travel overseas for medical treatment.”
He, however, expressed disappointment over the non-committal of the South East political elite in the efforts to free Kanu.
”The political elite are not doing enough; I see them as part of the problem and not the solution. They don’t have the balls to stand up and make case for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
”They even find it difficult to visit him. Apart from Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, no other Governor from South East has visited him in detention.”