Former Anambra governor Dr Ezeife says it is time for Igbo elders to talk sense to Nnamdi Kanu

FORMER Anambra State governor Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife has urged Igbos leaders to sit Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob) leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu down and talk sense into him so as to prevent Ndigbo being led to the slaughter house.

Over the last two years, Mazi Kanu, who has been campaigning for an independent state of Biafra, has seen his popularity grow following his arrest and detention for about two years. Since his release on bail in April, Mazi Kanu has been touring Igboland, addressing huge rallies in which he has urged Ndigbo to get ready to leave Nigeria.

Worried about some of his utterances, including calls for the boycott of the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State, several Igbo leaders have tried to ease some of Mazi Kanu's excesses. However, his popularity among the Igbo youth has led to thousands to take up the secessionist cause irrespective of the consequences of any action that might be taken.

Wading into the matter, Dr Ezeife said it is time for Igbo leaders to caution Mazi Kanu about his excesses and their possible consequences. He also advised President Muhammadu Buhari not to crush Ipob as it will not help in the search for enduring peace and resolution of the nagging questions of disenchantment that gave rise to the agitation he led.

Dr Ezeife said: “Invoking the wrath of the law helps nobody. What is necessary is that we, the elders of Igboland, should speak reason in the head of Kanu.

“He has done great already but he is overstepping bounds. For example, he said that the November 18 gubernatorial election in Anambra State would not hold, if that comes to pass, what does he think would happen?

"The federal government would declare a state of emergency in Anambra and choose whom they like to be the sole administrator of that state. Would Kanu like that, would any clear thinking person like that? as that will be creating another opportunity for the federal government to devastate the southeast the more."

According to the former governor, the issue should be on how to save Nigeria, which he said has failed woefully. He added that it appears that President Buhari appears set to crack down Kanu and his Ipob, having given marching orders to his service chiefs earlier in the week.

“The issue is that when a young man is making progress, especially being adored by the people, he may go beyond reason without knowing it. With all his good intentions, he may go beyond reason, so instead of castigating him, let us talk reason into his head,” Dr Ezeife added.