Efforts ongoing to release Nnamdi Kanu – Reps Deputy Speaker, Kalu

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives in Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has provided an optimistic outlook regarding the potential release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Kanu has been in detention for an extended period, leading to considerable unrest and agitation in the South-East region of Nigeria, including the observance of sit-at-home protests every Monday.

During a virtual appearance on the “South East political Roundtable,” a radio program on FLO FM in Umuahia, Kalu revealed that discussions are currently underway to secure Kanu’s release. This statement comes in the wake of a recent order by the Supreme Court for a retrial of Kanu’s case.

Amidst these developments, Kalu urged the youth in the region to cease the sit-at-home protests, highlighting the negative impact these actions have on attracting investors to the South-East, which is vital for the area’s development. He emphasized the importance of ending these protests to create a conducive environment for economic growth and stability.

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Additionally, Kalu spoke about the Peace In South East Project (PISE-P) recently launched in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State. He encouraged individuals involved in armed resistance to abandon their weapons and participate in the non-kinetic approach advocated by the project. This approach aims to address the security challenges and other agitations peacefully and constructively.

Kalu also called for support for the government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, asserting that the president is committed to the development of the South-East.JAMB Portal

He said: “We can’t put all our programs and plans on social media. He’s my brother. Is he in the mix of what we are trying to do? Yes! It’s one of our agenda to ensure he’s released. Who wants their brother to be in jail?

“We are working underground. There’s a detailed strategy. It’s not by violence, you can’t coerce the government through violence. It has never worked and won’t work. Let’s be wiser. The wisdom is in peace. Let’s quench the violence.

“If it’s chaotic, it won’t work. Let’s cool down. Let the man see that you’ve recognised he didn’t contribute to locking him up and that he has not done anything to the South-East.NYSC Portal

“We should support him and his government and not attack him. I’m standing firmly against the voice of violence, preaching peace. That is what I’m here for, this voice of peace will echo through the Villa and he will come out. Mr President was happy with what happened in Bende, that the whole country can gather together and support this project.

“Our strength does not lie in how many guns we carry, or how many people we threaten not to come out on Monday, that is not the display of the strength of an Igbo man.

“Igbo men are not lazy people who like sitting at home from Saturday to Sunday to Monday and go to work only Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, that is not us; we are hard working, we are rebuilders, we are never down and when we are down, we find a way to stand on our feet and raise our shoulders and rebuild again, that is my call to our people.

“We can bring you into the rebuilding that we are doing. We can bring you into the reconciliation. We can bring you in for rehabilitation and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is interested in the Igbos.

“Look at what he has done by giving us the Chief of Naval Staff which we never got in the last eight years. Did I just mention the Naval Chief, what about the minister of works, Senator Dave Umahi, my good friend?

“Mr President gave the minister of works to an Igbo son that proved himself in Ebonyi and he said, come and build what you did in Ebonyi in the entire Nigeria starting from the five states of the South-East and the only way we pay the president back is to say there will be no work on Monday?InformationGuideNigeria

“Look at what happened for the very first time, 15 billionaires of Igbo extraction gathered in Bende. That is to tell you that they are ready to bring their industry here, they are ready to build factories that will employ you, so why do you scare them away? Government cannot do everything for you.

“Our brothers who have money want to bring it back home. Some of them want to do it but you are scaring them away. How long are we going to sell fear to our people?

“This is a new year. This is a new era. This is a new dawn and I urge you, come and join hands with us. We will make you the leaders of this project. Don’t lead those carrying guns, let’s give you responsibility, let’s give you a task.JAMB Result

“And I call on all of you who are in support of the sit-at-home on Monday, it is time to stop. It is time to stop the sit-at-home on Mondays.

“If your agitation is about the release of Nnamdi Kanu; we love our Igbo land and we love our brother and he is my brother. That he is locked up does not make him less of my brother and that you are agitating does not make you less of my brother.

“But I am saying that there is a better way to get it done. There are many ways to kill a rat. Let us look for the other ways that we can kill this rat without destroying our home.

“Let us come together and unite and I can assure you that once we unite, there is nothing we ask this government that we cannot get, including the one you are asking for our brother, it is also achievable.”

Kalu also appreciated the governors of the 5 eastern states for the support they are giving to PISE-P.

The deputy speaker said that there was nothing political about the project, stressing that it was all about community service.

“The Governors of the various states of the South-East, you can’t do without them. I can assure you they all want peace for the South-East. None of them is against this. They are in full support.

“You don’t leave the job only for the governors. Let them play from the top, we play from the bottom, then we meet halfway. Then, solve our problems.

“The peace in South-East project is not politics, it’s about a community project anchored on peace. That’s why members of the PISE-P are from different political parties.

“I can assure you, through this project the South-East will not remain the same. All the boys who are carrying guns, there’s hope for them, because we will get them gainfully employed, they won’t be wasted”.

Kalu also stated that there was no clash of interest between PISE-P and Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

According to him, the idea of the project was first communicated to the President-General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural body, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, adding that he is in full support of the project.

“Which clash of interest? He’s in full support of this project. He’s passionate about the peace and unity of Igbo land. We are partnering with him”, Kalu said.

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