Clark writes Tinubu to direct AGF to release Nnamdi Kanu

Edwin Clark, the head of the Ijaw people, has urged President Bola Tinubu to order Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi to submit a nolle prosequi demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the head of the Independent People of Biafra.

Reminding Tinubu that Kanu’s freedom on political grounds was long overdue, Clark urged Tinubu to petition the Attorney General of the Federation to file a nolle prosequi to release the incarcerated IPOB leader.

This was said in a second letter that the elder statesman wrote to the president on Sunday. The first letter asked him to avoid following in the footsteps of President Muhammadu Buhari, who marginalized and subordinated the Igbo people by excluding them from certain jobs. https://punchng.com/dont-marginalise-igbo-like-buhari-clark-tells-tinubu/

“The release of Nnamdi Kanu by Mr President on political grounds is overdue as earlier explained. Mr President should direct the Attorney General to enter a nolle prosequi to free Nnamdi Kanu who has shown his intention to work with the Federal Government, to bring peace and stability in the South-East and to Nigerians as a whole, as it has been recently done in similar cases of treasonable felony as in the case of Miyetti Allah president, Abdullahi Bello Bodejo of Nasarawa state.”, he said.

However, according to The PUNCH, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja denied Kanu bail in April and instead ordered an accelerated hearing. https://punchng.com/breaking-court-denies-nnamdi-kanu-bail/

Clark stated in his letter that the action will finalize Nigeria’s reconciliation and put a stop to the Southeast’s sit-at-home directive.

He advocated for the employment of the “carrot and stick approach” rather than military action to quell the agitations in the area and claimed that the short-changing of Igbos from the South East over the years had allowed the IPOB to “fashion a place for itself” in the hearts and minds of young people.

“Apart from demanding the restructuring of Nigeria, the political freedom of Nnamdi Kanu will no doubt complete the reconciliation of Nigeria and bring an end to the needless Monday sit-at-home order, which has disturbed businesses and civil activities in the South-East.

“The short-changing of the Igbos of the South East over the years is the reason why IPOB has fashioned a place for itself in the hearts and minds of the young people in the Southeast with its demand for self-determination. I have physically seen these IPOB boys in action, at the Ekwueme Square in Awka, Anambra State, when I attended a meeting of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum there.

“None of these youths witnessed the civil war and are, definitely, not abreast with the history of the war and its full ramifications. I advise, therefore, that rather than the use of military force which has already proved counter-productive, they should be carefully treated with the “carrot and stick approach”, in the interest of the peace, stability, and progress of Nigeria as a whole and the Southeast zone in particular.”

Clark emphasized that anything less than full Igbo reintegration into Nigerian society—where their region would be treated equally with other sections of the nation—would not be in the nation’s best interests.

“Let me re-emphasize the importance and urgency of reintegrating the Igbos into the mainstream of Nigeria where their region will be equal with other regions in all ramifications, meaning that they should be fully and unconditionally united or be admitted into the Union of Nigeria as it was before the civil war.

“Anything short of that is not in the interest of a united Nigeria and there may be no end to the insecurity in Nigeria.”

In addition, he advocated for Nigeria’s restructuring, stating that the President had been a leading proponent of it prior to becoming a senator and the governor of the state of Lagos. He went on to say that restructuring the nation “will be one of your most enduring legacies when you leave office.”

“Mr President you have always been the principal advocate of restructuring even before you became Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Governor of Lagos State.

“During your time, you passionately advocated for a Sovereign National Conference, which was even more inclusive than the current restructuring we are demanding, in Nigeria. Undoubtedly, this pursuit of restructuring will be one of your most enduring legacies when you leave office,” he added.