President Muhammadu Buhari has described the call for the unconditional release of the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, as heavy.
Naija News reports that the Nigerian leader stated that interfering in Kanu’s trial will be unlawful and contravene the powers of the Judiciary.
He made this known on Friday while receiving an Igbo delegation led by former Minister of Aviation, Mbazulike Amaechi, at State House, Abuja.
Some members of the delegation are former Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Bishop Sunday Onuoha of the Methodist Church, former President of Igbo socio-cultural group, Aka Ikenga, Goddy Uwazurike and Tagbo Amaechi.
In a statement by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, the President said he will consider the request by the Igbo leaders for the release of the IPOB leader.
Buhari said, “You’ve made an extremely difficult demand on me as leader of this country. The implication of your request is very serious.
“In the last six years, since I became President, nobody would say I have confronted or interfered in the work of the Judiciary. God has spared you, and given you a clear head at this age, with a very sharp memory. A lot of people half your age are confused already. But the demand you made is heavy. I will consider it.
“I said the best thing was to subject him to the system. Let him make his case in court, instead of giving very negative impressions of the country from the outside. I feel it’s even a favour to give him that opportunity.”
Reacting, the leader of the Igbo delegation, Amaechi called for a political solution to Kanu’s trial and the insecurity issue in the South East, describing the situation in the region as “painful and pathetic.
The former minister asked the President to withdraw the military from the South East and he will ensure Kanu does not contravene the laws of the country.
He said: “He would no longer say the things he had been saying,” stressing that he could control him, “not because I have anything to do with IPOB, but I am highly respected in Igboland today.
“I don’t want to leave this planet without peace returning to my country. I believe in one big, united Nigeria, a force in Africa. Mr President, I want you to be remembered as a person who saw Nigeria burning, and you quenched the fire.”
This article was originally published on Naija News