The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, on Monday, disclosed that efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, Mr Nnamdi Kanu.
He noted that while the court processes are ongoing, political solutions are in progress as well.
Kalu was quoted as saying at the special edition of “The Ben Kalu’s Mandate”, a radio programme of FLO FM, Umuahia, that it is deliberate to work behind the scenes to secure the release of Kanu, according to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, on Monday.
The lawmaker’s statement came on the heels of an inquiry by the programme anchor, Wisdom Thomas, of the ‘Peace In South East Project’, a recently launched initiative of the deputy speaker which calls for a nonkinetic measure to resolve the security challenges in the South East.
The lawmaker was quoted as saying, “We recognise the importance of our brother, Nnamdi Kanu, in the peace agenda we are pushing, that’s the truth and I have been very vocal about it and I am not hiding it.
“I have always told people that I will never deny Nnamdi Kanu. He’s my brother. We come from the same place, and I will never be happy having him incarcerated when we can have him out and increase our pursuit of peace.
“But we may not advance all the things we are doing, but I can assure you that all the powers-that-be in this country know that people like us are not sitting on the fence. I don’t know about the next person, but I am talking about Benjamin Kalu. I am not sitting on the fence about it. I am lobbying.
“We cannot go about this before the court. I am more interested in using a political solution to resolve this. So, I am asking for one or two things from the Federal Government.”
He continued, “The last time I was with Mr President, I discussed with him the need for the elders of Igbo land to come, sit, and engage with him. I know that one of the topics that will come up there is our brother and the South East Development Commission.
“I will not truncate legal processes, but some of us are not afraid to identify with him and to ask for him to be released. Any other thing can follow up after that. So, that is what is going on at the moment, and those who are close to him will assure you that we are working closely on this mandate. Is it achievable? The answer is yes
“And I am happy with the statement that he (Kanu) made the last time he was in court. He said all those who are causing violence are not IPOB people and that anybody who is using his name to be causing violence is a hater of Ndi Igbo.
“Look, Igbos are not known for violence. We are known for trade and being creative. Call it Nollywood, we are the engine room that started the creative industry. We are not thieves, not known for violence. We put our energy towards creating wealth. We are not life killers, and anybody coming now to introduce what is strange to us. It’s either the person is not an Igbo man, or we should question where he is coming from.”
He further reminded the Igbo ethnic nationality that “As we are asking Mr President to release Nnamdi Kanu for us and giving us South East Development Commission, we must on the other show him loyalty by making sure that there is peace in our area. No violence, support his government.”
Speaking on the present state of the South East Development Commission Bill, Kalu said that the proposed legislation was at the conference committee stage, where some issues regarding the confirmation of the commissioners are being resolved.”
