The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) on Thursday said it was worried that the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi has joined other Igbo leaders to demand the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
In a statement issued by the national coordinator of the group, Jamilu Charanchi, the CNG said those calling for Kanu’s release must also be held as terrorists.
Charanchi said data from the police and other security agencies have confirmed that Kanu, IPOB and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) are responsible for the violent attacks witnessed in the Southeast region.
Stating that the activities of the group have led to the killing of 175 security officers and destruction of various government properties, Charanchi said the groups existence threatens the unity of the nation.
Also reacting to Kanu’s recent behaviour at the court, Charanchi said the IPOB leader has shown a lack of respect for the legal process and the professionalism that should be maintained in a court of law.
He said that one of those at the forefront of the “calls for the release of Nnamdi Kanu is Peter Obi, an Igbo politician who is shamelessly seeking the votes of Nigerians to become president.
“It is deeply concerning that Peter Obi, a supposed leader, would align himself with someone like Kanu, who has blood on his hands and has caused so much suffering and division in the country. It is the height of insensitivity and irresponsibility for Obi to ignore the pain and loss that Kanu’s actions have caused, simply because they share the same ethnicity,” Charanchi stated.
He further called on Northern voters to be careful of politicians like Obi who he said are ready to sacrifice the safety and security of other Nigerians to fulfill their political ambitions.
“The demand for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu is not only unjust but also counterproductive to the efforts to restore peace and order in the country,”he added.
