The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has criticized federal lawmakers, particularly those from the North, for supporting the call to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The call for Kanu’s release has gained momentum with prominent Nigerians, including legislators, advocating for his freedom.
In a statement issued by the CNG, the group labeled the support from northern lawmakers as treacherous and unpatriotic.
The Coalition expressed dismay that northern representatives would back a move they see as an affront to the memory of those who died due to Kanu’s secessionist actions.
“We are shocked that House of Representatives members, including those from Northern Nigeria, are supporting the release of a terrorist being held on charges before a court of competent jurisdiction,” Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, the National Coordinator of CNG said.
The group stated that the demand for Kanu’s release undermines the rule of law and the authority of the Nigerian judiciary.
“This is a blatant attempt to subvert the rule of law and undermine the authority of the Nigerian judiciary.
“Where were they when Nnamdi Kanu and his people were killing and are still killing the Northerners in the east? Where were they when the properties of the Northerners were destroyed by him?” Charanchi asked.
The Coalition expressed their discontent with northern lawmakers, stating that their actions could demoralize security operatives who have lost colleagues to the violence associated with IPOB.
“This will further demoralize the security operatives seeing the killer of their loved ones celebrated in the NASS instead of apprehended,” the statement read.
While acknowledging that southeastern leaders, including legislators, governors, and traditional authorities, have historically supported Kanu, CNG condemned the northern lawmakers who joined the cause.
“We are not surprised by the position of the southeastern legislators, their governors, religious and traditional leaders, being accomplices and supporters of Nnamdi Kanu’s atrocities, but condemn in totality all Northern lawmakers who endorsed this treachery,” the group added.
