Edwin Clark, convener of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), has called on President Bola Tinubu to instruct the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, to drop all charges against Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Clark’s appeal was made in an open letter addressed to President Tinubu on Sunday. In the letter, Clark urged the president to use his executive power to release Kanu, drawing a parallel to the case of Abdullahi Bodejo, president of Miyetti Allah, who was released under similar circumstances.
“I have never supported the activities of IPOB under the leadership of Nnamdi Kanu, but today, Nigeria is a broken country where many groups and nativities have cried foul about the way Nigeria has been governed since 1999 because of the military constitution imposed on Nigerians by the military,” Clark wrote.
Clark highlighted the nation’s current struggles, including a failing economy, collapsing education and health institutions, widespread joblessness among youths, and perceived inequality among citizens. He warned that the ongoing violence and insecurity in the south-east could have severe consequences if not addressed.
“The unity of Nigeria can only be achieved and sustained if every part of the country is treated equally with the other parts, in all ramifications. No one can play God over Nigeria, and no section owns this country more than any other section. We want Mr. President to reassure Nigerians of our oneness,” Clark asserted.
He emphasized that Kanu’s release would help end the Monday sit-at-home order in the south-east and restore peace in the region. Furthermore, he called for the reintegration of Igbos into the mainstream of Nigerian politics to ensure equality among all regions.
“Let me re-emphasize the importance and urgency of reintegrating the Igbos into the mainstream of Nigeria, where their region will be equal with other regions in all ramifications, meaning that they should be fully and unconditionally united or be admitted into the union of Nigeria as it was before the civil war,” Clark stated.
Clark concluded by urging President Tinubu to direct the AGF to enter a nolle prosequi to free Nnamdi Kanu, noting Kanu’s willingness to work with the federal government to bring peace and stability to the south-east and Nigeria as a whole. He drew a comparison to the recent release of Miyetti Allah president Abdullahi Bello Bodejo of Nasarawa state, who faced similar charges of treasonable felony.
