BREAKING: I Will Consider Releasing Nnamdi Kanu — Buhari Assures Southeast Leaders
Nnamdi Kanu’s unconditional release, according to President Muhammadu Buhari, would violate the principles of separation of powers between the Executive and the Judiciary.
However, the President has vowed to take into account the request of several Southeast elders who were in the statehouse earlier on Friday to address the region’s security situation.
Buhari made the commitment when he met with a group of Highly Respected Igbo Greats at State House in Abuja, led by First Republic lawmaker and Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi.
Chief Mbazulike Amaechi had called for a political solution to the issue in the southeast rather than a military one, suggesting that if Kanu was released to him as the last remaining First Republic Minister, he would stop talking the things he had been saying.
“Not because I have anything to do with them (IPOB), but I am highly regarded in Igbo nation today,” the nonagenarian claimed.
He had described the situation in the Southeast as painful and pitiful, bemoaning the fact that enterprises have failed and that education is disintegrating everywhere due to fear.
Chief Amaechi claimed he had spoken with Nnamdi Kanu twice before, and the latter had withdrawn directives for civil disobedience.
“I don’t want to leave this planet without peace returning to my country. I believe in one big, united Nigeria, a force in Africa. Mr President, I want you to be remembered as a person who saw Nigeria burning, and you quenched the fire.”
President Buhari offered to examine a lighter resolution in response to the elder statesman’s appeal, but expressed concern that doing so might jeopardize the separation of powers between the Executive and the Judiciary.
Buhari said, “You’ve made an extremely difficult demand on me as leader of this country. The implication of your request is very serious. In the last six years, since I became President, nobody would say I have confronted or interfered in the work of the Judiciary. God has spared you, and given you a clear head at this age, with a very sharp memory. A lot of people half your age are confused already. But the demand you made is heavy. I will consider it,” he said.
Stressing his policy of non-interference with the Judiciary, President Buhari said when Kanu jumped bail, got arrested and was brought back to the country, he did not interfere but allowed the system to take its course.
“I said the best thing was to subject him to the system. Let him make his case in court, instead of giving very negative impressions of the country from the outside. I feel it’s even a favour to give him that opportunity.”
Other members of the delegation to the President include Chukwuemeka Ezeife, former Governor of Anambra State, Bishop Sunday Onuoha of the Methodist Church, Chief Barrister Goddy Uwazurike, former President of Igbo socio-cultural group, Aka Ikenga, and Mr Tagbo Mbazulike Amaechi.
