By Nwanosike Onu, Awka; Damian Duruiheoma, Enugu and Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki
Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu is sad about “sacrilegious killings” and “senseless” Monday sit-at-home in the Southeast, Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has said.
He visited the detained IPOB leader at the weekend as part of his bid to find lasting peace in the region.
The governor said Kanu was for peace in the region.
In posts on his social media accounts, Soludo stated: “I visited Mazi Nnamdi Kanu…to felicitate with him and also as part of the wider consultations with critical stakeholders in search of lasting peace and security in the South East.
“He was in very high spirits and we had quality and frank discussion in a very convivial atmosphere.
“He expressed sadness over what he described as ‘sacrilegious killings’ of innocent persons, kidnappings and all forms of criminalities, including the brutal enforcement of the senseless ‘sit at home’ perpetuated by sundry groups claiming to be acting for or on behalf of IPOB.
“He assured that if the opportunity arises, he will be glad to personally broadcast to his followers to maintain the peace.
“Together, we shall restore peace, security and prosperity in Anambra and the Southeast. It is well indeed!”
The governor shared details of the meeting and photos on Saturday night, including photos where he was being embraced by Kanu who was clad in an Athletico Madrid tracksuit.
The IPOB, in the Department of State Services (DSS) custody, is facing terrorism charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
PFN seeks Kanu’s release
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Southeast zone, yesterday appealed to President Buhari to reconsider his hard stance on Kanu’s incarceration.
The appeal followed President Buhari’s insistence that the courts should decide Kanu’s fate.
At a prayer rally in Enugu, PFN National Vice President, Southeast, Bishop Maxwell Korie, also expressed worry over the level of insecurity in the zone.
He said: “We are deeply concerned with the level of insecurity in the Southeast zone.
“Having reviewed the situation, we urge the Federal Government to invite the agitating groups to a dialogue table to negotiate what their issues and misgivings are.
“The past administration of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua used dialogue to solve the problems of the Niger Delta region.
“So, we advise the incumbent administration of Muhammadu Buhari to borrow a leaf from the Yar’Adua administration.
“This is the sure and fastest way towards resolving these issues,” he stated.
On the 2023 election, he re-echoed PFN’s stand that the body would vote against any political party that fields a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
“Any joint ticket of two Muslims in the office of the president and the vice president in the forthcoming 2023 general elections shall not be tolerated; it is dead on arrival.
“All the political parties should take note of this, especially the two major political parties – the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“All PFN blocs have already been instructed to mobilise and vote against such a political party that fields two Muslims in the Presidential election come 2023,” he said.