The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has emphasized that achieving peace and security in the South-East region is a prerequisite before seeking the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
During an interaction with journalists at his home in Bende, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu clarified that the South-East’s objective of securing Kanu’s release should be pursued through peaceful negotiations rather than attempting to pressure the Federal Government. He expressed the view that many efforts by South-East leaders to secure Kanu’s release have been more about public image than genuine negotiations.NYSC Portal
The Deputy Speaker pointed out that the widely held belief in the South-East that Kanu’s release would automatically bring peace to the region is flawed. Instead, he stressed the importance of first establishing peace and security in the area, and then pursuing negotiations for Kanu’s release.JAMB Portal
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He said, “To get Kanu released is not about how much you talk about it on the pages of the newspapers or screens of television stations, it needs strategic thinking and strategic steps to get it done.
“Many thought that by arm-twisting the Federal Government through sit-at-home every Monday, through violence and destruction, Kanu would be immediately released.
“You can never arm-twist the Federal Government, but you can dialogue.”informationguidenigeria
He also described the threat to burn down the region, if the Federal Government refused to listen to its request, as equal to shooting oneself in the foot.
He averred, “The houses you are shooting at are in the South-East. The people you are killing are South-Easterners.
“When you say, if you don’t release Kanu, the people will sit at home and not go to work, people are going to work in Lagos, Kano, Sokoto and other parts of the country.JAMB Result
“So, who are you shooting? It’s like a man shooting his own leg and taking accolade for it, and this is the greatest level of folly.”
Kalu also said that it was tantamount to daring the Federal Government to say “it’s fire-for-fire and violence for violence.”
He enthused, “So, critically thinking, the best approach is to reduce the violence in the region and create a platform for negotiation.”
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