Candidates in Saturday’s Anambra gubernatorial election have called for the release of the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Kanu is presently in custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), and will next appear in court in Abuja on November 10.
This is as the governorship aspirants (nine of them) also urged the Muhammadu Buhari administration to demilitarise the South East region ‘in a bid to stem the heightened tension in the area’.
The candidates made their position known in a statement on Tuesday jointly signed by Ben Etiaba, the AA candidate; Charles Soludo, APGA; Obinna Uzoh, SDP; Akachukwu Nwankpo, ADC; Onyejegbu Okwudili, APM; Ifeanyi Uba, YPP; Andy Uba, APC; Nnamdi Nnawuo, PRP and Obiora Okonkwo of the ZLP.
In their resolution, they said, “We the candidates in the forthcoming Anambra State Governorship Election commit unequivocally to non-violence and the maintenance of peace throughout the duration of the election and beyond.
“We urge all our supporters and other stakeholders to commit fully to these ideals and refrain from any act that may imperil the election.
“In order to eschew all acts that may torpedo the forthcoming election, we urge the Federal Government to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to the South East Council of Traditional Rulers and the representatives of Igbo archbishops and bishops.
“We urge the Federal Government to take urgent steps to demilitarise the South East zone and stem the heightened tension, skirmishes and endless bloodletting between the security agencies and our youths.”
Furthermore, the Governors called on IPOB to avoid actions that would hinder the smooth running of elections.
