No breakthrough as Buhari, South-East leaders sing discordant tunes

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There was no breakthrough yet for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, after a day of the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, to Ebonyi State.

While his host, Governor Dave Umahi, was assuring the people that President Buhari given a leeway for the process of the release of the IPOB leader, Buhari reiterated his position that the case against Kanu should be properly adjudicated by the law court.

Buhari spoke emphatically while responding to the request of leaders and traditional rulers from the South-East to release Kanu during a meeting in Abakaliki on Friday as part of activities for his two-day visit to Ebonyi State.

The President expressed concern at the worsening security situation in the South-East region.

He said a few persons from the region had brainwashed and incited a segment of the population against the government.

Buhari declared that anyone caught bearing arms, especially AK-47 rifles, other than security agents should be dealt with appropriately.

He said, “I must register my deep and grave concern with regards to the deteriorating state of affairs in this region.

“In the last 48 hours, I have been informed of the latest in the round of brutal actions carried out by gun-wielding terrorists, who prey on innocent and hardworking citizens.

“Unfortunately, these barbaric acts were visited on those who have committed their lives to protecting the lives of fellow citizens.

“Terrorists, who have unfortunately brainwashed a segment of the population that continued to contribute their hard earned funds towards their hate-filled messages, but now have been terrorised through their brutal killings, truncation of commercial activities, restriction of freedom of movement, and the ability to exercise basic human rights, must be fished out from among us and it can only be done through the support of the people.

“I have listened carefully to various appeals from the elders and traditional leaders regarding a wide range of options and as I have said previously, this matter (Kanu’s trial for treason) remains in the full purview of the law court, where it will be properly adjudicated.

“My worry is for our hardworking and innocent civilians for whom life is already tough and will like to go out and earn a good and honest living. There are many that fit this profile and the government owes them that obligation to protect their lives and property.

“I will once again repeat; no one has the right to carry an AK-47 and anyone in any part of the country doing so and is not a law enforcement officer is a threat to our peaceful coexistence and should be treated as such.”
However, the Chairman of the South-East Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Charles Mkpuma, pleaded with Buhari to release the IPOB leader from the custody of the Department of State Services.

The monarch stated, “We plead with you, Mr President, to grant the plea for the South-East to produce the next President of the country in 2023.

“We stand by you in all efforts towards the fight against insecurity in the South-East and the country in general. We, however, plead with you as a compassionate father to temper justice with mercy in the case of our son, Nnamdi Kanu. We have started discussion to ensure that all those who feel aggrieved are brought to the roundtable for discussion.

“We shall continue to support you and your administration. Do not listen to those advocating for an interim government for they are inviting anarchy.

“We urge you to look inwards and build the rest of your administration around a South easterner, who has outstanding performance.”

On his part, a First Republic Minister of Aviation, Mbazulike Amaechi, said peace was elusive in the South-East geopolitical zone, and urged Buhari to ensure it was returned to the region.

Also, the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, South-East Zone, Rev. Fr. Abraham Nwali, said residents of the region were currently living in fear of the unknown.

According to him, the zone is challenged with a high level of insecurity, adding that the ongoing sit-at-home had crippled its economy.

“As a body that is of genuine counsel, our country is currently challenged greatly by insecurity and societal conflicts here and there with a high level of poverty. A great number of our families are living in the fear of the unknown.

“Your Excellency, as a father of our dear nation and the South-East, we bring to your notice that the sit-at-home has crippled the economy of the South-East and banditry is engulfing the nation.

“Our society is growing in violence with a lot of youth restiveness. We know that you are doing your best to solve these problems, but we request more dialogue with all nationalists and more empowerment for the various security agencies to tackle this monster called insecurity.

“We request that you exercise the promotion of equity, fairness and social justice with all institutions and political parties, especially as we approach the year of transition.”