Ohanaeze calls on Biafran militants to observe 40-day ceasefire so it can negotiate Kanu's release

PAN-Igbo cultural group Ohanaeze Ndigbo has called on all Biafran separatist agitators to observe a ceasefire for 40 days to enable it negotiate the release of Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob) leader Nnamdi Kanu with the federal government.

Since President Bola Tinubu assumed office on May 29 this year, Ohanaeze has stepped up calls for the release of Mr Kanu. Highly controversial, Mr Kanu has been campaigning for the recreation of the independent republic of Biafra which broke away from Nigeria between July 1967 and January 1970 during the civil war.

His campaign, which has led to the phenomenal growth of Ipob, has set him at odds with the Nigerian government who him arrested and put on trial for treason. While the case was still pending, Mr Kanu was granted bail in April 2017 on health grounds but skipped his bail after flouting the conditions given to him by the court and fled Nigeria.

In a dramatic development, in June 2021, Mr Kanu was abducted in Kenya and flown to Nigeria, where he has since been arrayed in court in Abuja, with fresh charges added to the pending ones. Former President Buhari's administration went after Mr Kanu aggressively but there is now hope that the Tinubu administration will be more accommodating.

Ohanaeze's general secretary Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said the ceasefire should start from October 31. He added there are ongoing talks taking place behind the scenes on the possibility of Mr Kanu’s release.

Mazi Isiguzoro said: “To facilitate progress in this matter, Ohanaeze Ndigbo urges Biafra agitators to uphold a ceasefire for a period of 40 days, refraining from any offensive aggression starting from October 31, 2023. Maintaining discipline among the Biafra agitators is crucial to ensuring the cessation of all offensive acts for the designated 40-day period.

“By doing so, the ongoing conversations behind the scenes will have the necessary environment to provide the desired solutions for the release of Nnamdi Kanu. Ohanaeze Ndigbo reminds Ndigbo of our Igbo idiom Every soup has a peculiar way of licking it, emphasising the importance of engaging with relevant authorities through diplomatic channels as the most effective means of achieving the desired results.

“We implore Ndigbo to exercise patience during this challenging time. We acknowledge the pain and hardships endured by the people of the southeast since the incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu."

Ohanaeze also appealed to Nigerians Mr Kanu might have offended to extend forgiveness and allow the greater interests of Nigeria to prevail. It added that the restoration of peace and security in the southeast is of utmost importance and requires the collective involvement of all stakeholders.