The sudden disappearance of the leader of the
Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, and members of his immediate family
since the invasion of his home by soldiers has become a major talking point in
the South-east of Nigeria, writes Christopher Isiguzo
“Nnamdi Kanu has been using a non-violent approach for the
realisation of Biafra since 2012, when the struggle for Biafra’s independence
started. Okezie Ikpeazu, who was mandated by the federal government and other
South-eastern governors to lead the fight against Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB members
in Abia State must be held responsible for this action in the distant time.
“We are giving the federal government and South-east governors
to produce or declare the condition of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, if he is
still alive or charge him to court within seven days, because if anything
happens to him the South-east governors can never bear the consequences after
the expiration of this notice.
“Again, the federal government and South-east governors should
hasten to build more prison yards and acquire more weapons that they will use
to kill more Biafrans,” IPOB stated.
Consequently, the royal fathers of Ibeku clan in Umuahia North
Local Government made their call for Kanu and his parents’ whereabouts after a
meeting at the palace of their chairman and traditional ruler of Emede Ibeku
autonomous community, Eze Henry Ezekwem.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Ezekwem said the Ibeku
royal fathers were unhappy over the “desecration of the throne” of Eze Kanu and
his ofo, the symbol of authority of the traditional stool.
They however expressed concern that Kanu’s parents had not been
seen after the invasion of their palace, adding that the Nigerian Army owed
them an explanation, because many people were killed in the attack including
the female cook of the Kanus.
“The army should release our colleague, Eze Israel Kanu, because
we have not seen him since his palace was invaded by soldiers. If they have
killed him they should please release his corpse to us so we can give him a
befitting burial,” Ezekwem appealed, adding that “they (army) have to appease
the gods” for desecrating the palace and ofo”.
When contacted, the Secretary of Eastern Consultative Assembly
(ECA), Evangelist Elliot Uko, who was part of the team that accompanied Kanu
during his meeting with the South-east governors in Enugu said “we’ve heard so
many rumours but I can’t confirm whether he is safe where he is or whether he
was arrested. I am not sure of his whereabouts and we are deeply worried”.
On his part, renowned constitutional lawyer, Prof. Ben Nwabueze,
SAN expressed worry at the sudden disappearance of the IPOB leader and also
asked the governors of the South-east zone to re-engage him in fresh talks
“when the tension caused by last week’s military invasion had quietened down”.
In a statement made available to journalists and personally
signed by him, the lawyer, who is also the chairman of the Igbo Leaders of
Thoughts, gave the indication that the Kanu was ready for peaceful resolution
of the impasse before the military invasion.
The elder statesman, who accompanied Kanu to meet with the
governors in Enugu on August 30, 2017 dismissed as false, insinuations in some
quarters that Kanu was opposed to the amicable resolution of issues during the
meeting. He said on the contrary, Kanu was not just ready to shift ground but
had insisted that the entire leadership of IPOB must be involved in the
discussions.
Nwabueze expressed dismay over the disturbances in Umuahia, Aba
and other parts of the South-east on account of the attempt to clampdown on the
separatist group. He further noted that also on September 15, he travelled back
to Enugu from Lagos for the meeting and spoke on phone with the Ebonyi State
Governor, Dave Umahi, who never mentioned a word to him about the decision
which must have been taken days before, to proscribe IPOB.
The issue of Kanu’s whereabouts has remained the talking point
in virtually every gathering and in practically all the state capitals in the
five states of Abia, Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu. At a popular newspaper
stand around Edimbugh Street, near Obiagu, New layout, Enugu, Kanu has remained
the issue.
One Emeka Eneh, who spoke to THISDAY said they would not take it
kindly with the federal government should anything happen to Kanu.
Another concerned indigene, Mrs. Rosemary Agbo, said: “We are
disturbed that he has not been seen for almost two weeks now. We are looking
for him and hopefully, we’ll see him hale and hearty soon.”
Comrade Paschal Iwedinobi was rather excited that normalcy had
returned to the South-east with the proscription of IPOB by the federal
government and the disappearance of Nnamdi Kanu.
“Who will not be happy to live in a peaceful environment? Kanu
has caused more problems to us in the zone than anything else. Let him remain
wherever he is because we are better off without him. Imagine the effrontery,
that election will not take place in Anambra State? Who is Nnamdi Kanu to issue
such orders? Does he understand the implications of such a childish order.
Whether election takes place or not, power must change hands in Anambra by
March 17 next year and someone is here saying what we don’t know. Let the
soldiers remain here until we are through with our election by November 18,”
Iwedinobi noted.
However anyone looks at the divergent opinions being expressed
by different people, one undeniable fact is that the sudden disappearance of
Kanu and members of his family is creating its own tension already as most of
his adherents are obviously not at ease.
Among the political class, it is the general view that Kanu has
upped the ante in the discourse about marginalisation of the South-east and
restructuring, even though is approach is arguably defective. They therefore
believe that for the issues about the resurrection of Biafra to completely
fizzle out, government must begin to equally address the issues that are
fuelling the agitations.
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