The Northern Elders Forum or NEF, a pan–Arewa socio-political organisation, has opposed any special treatment for Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
The organisation urged the Federal Government to guarantee that his trial would be conducted in line with the laws of the nation.
It also demanded that the government and security forces not allow IPOB to sabotage Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Anambra State.
After meeting with its leader, Ango Abdullahi, NEF’s spokesperson Hakeem Baba-Ahmed said in a statement yesterday that Anambra will unite with other regions to deliver a competent president in 2023.
The elders, according to Mr Baba-Ahmed, proposed that the state’s independent electoral commissions be disbanded and that local government election responsibilities be given to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“IPOB’s plans to frustrate the governorship election in Anambra State this weekend must be resisted,” the statement said.
“The ongoing trial of its leader should proceed in accordance with the laws of the land, and elite from the region who demand that he is accorded special treatment in return for peace should know they are merely inviting more threats on the people they should help to protect.”
According to the spokesperson, Borno State has been without power for nearly ten months due to the nefarious operations of Boko Haram extremists. The elders would therefore also support labelling bandits as terrorists if it would stop the attack in the region.
