South-East Governors Agree to Meet Tinubu Over Nnamdi Kanu’s Release

The Southeast Governors Forum has decided to meet with President Buhari to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.

Mr. Kanu, who is facing terrorism charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja, has been in detention since being rearrested in June 2021 and brought back to Nigeria from Kenya under controversial circumstances.

The governors of Imo (Hope Uzodinma), Ebonyi (Francis Nwifuru), Abia (Alex Otti), and Anambra (Charles Soludo), along with their Enugu counterpart, Peter Mbah, held a closed-door meeting in Enugu.

The forum stated in a communiqué issued after the meeting that they had resolved to seek the release of the IPOB leader.

Mr Uzodinma, Chairperson of the Forum and Governor of Imo State read out the communiqué to reporters and stated that the forum also resolved to address insecurity in the Southeast.

Details of the communique.
The communiqué emphasised several critical resolutions:

1.) Engagement with the Federal Government: The governors agreed to meet with President Bola Tinubu to discuss pressing issues affecting the South-East region, including the release of Nnamdi Kanu.

2.) Implementation of Security and Economic Plans: The forum agreed to carry out the recommendations of the South-East Security and Economic Summit, which took place in Owerri on September 28, 2023. This includes actionable plans to address security challenges and promote regional economic integration.

3.) Condolences on the Death of Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu: The forum extended its condolences to the governments and people of Abia State, Ebonyi State, Imo State, and the family of the late Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, a former governor and Minister of Science, Innovation, and Technology.

4.) Prominent Leaders’ Solidarity Visit: The forum welcomed a delegation led by former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, and His Royal Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, who came to support the governors’ efforts.

In honour of the late Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, the forum formed a burial committee chaired by Anyim Pius Anyim, with Rotimi Amaechi, former Minister of Transportation and Governor of Rivers State, serving as secretary. This committee will be in charge of overseeing the former governor’s funeral arrangements.
The South-East Governors Forum’s proactive approach to these issues demonstrates their commitment to addressing the region’s challenges while fostering unity and progress.

The upcoming meeting with President Tinubu is an important step towards achieving their objectives and ensuring a more stable and prosperous future for the South-East region.