Ohanaeze Backs South-East Governors’ Legitimacy to Negotiate Nnamdi Kanu’s Release

 

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, a prominent Igbo socio-cultural organization, has called on South-East governors and political leaders to disregard Simon Ekpa’s objections to their efforts in negotiating the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Recently, Ekpa, who claims to be the Prime Minister of the Biafra Government in Exile, stated that the governors lacked legitimacy to negotiate Kanu’s freedom.

In response, the National President of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, released a statement on Thursday urging the governors to proceed with their plans to engage the Federal Government for Kanu’s release. Okwu emphasized that the governors, as elected leaders, hold the legitimate authority to represent the zone.

"It is surprising to hear Simon Ekpa claim that the governors lack legitimacy. These governors are elected leaders. If they lack legitimacy, then how does Ekpa, who is in faraway Finland, possess it?" Okwu questioned.

Okwu further criticized Ekpa’s continuous opposition to any attempts aimed at securing Kanu’s release, suggesting that Ekpa benefits from Kanu’s prolonged detention. He argued that Ekpa's actions do not align with the interests of the Igbo people but rather with his personal gains from the ongoing agitation.

The Ohanaeze youths called on the governors to initiate all necessary steps to ensure Kanu's prompt release, ignoring Ekpa’s distractions. They also urged South-East National Assembly members to support the governors in engaging the Federal Government.

"We urge the governors and all South-East NASS members to rally together and hold purposeful discussions with the Federal Government. We are confident that the current administration will heed their request," Okwu stated.