The governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo, has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, who has been detained since 2021.
On Saturday, Soludo made the demand during the campaign launch of the All Progressives Grand Alliance in Awka, the state capital.
He specifically requested that Kanu be released unconditionally and immediately by the Federal Government.
Speaking to a large crowd of supporters and party members, the governor stated that if the detained IPOB leader cannot be released unconditionally, he should be released to him, adding that he was willing to stand surety for him.
“I am making a passionate appeal to the Federal Government to unconditionally release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” he said. If he cannot be released unconditionally, I want him released to me, and I will be his surety.
“We need Nnamdi Kanu in the roundtable conversation to discuss the insecurity in the South-East. We need Nnamdi Kanu to help us end the insecurity in the South East.”
Soludo promised to look after Kanu and to bring him to the authorities whenever he was needed.
He stated that Kanu could not be imprisoned while insecurity is being discussed throughout the South-East.
“We need him around the table, we need him to talk about the future of the South-East,” he continued. If the Federal Government is unable to release him unconditionally, I now offer myself to the Federal Government in exchange for his release.
“I will make him available whenever he is required. I’ll put him up here in Awka. We need him released in order to put an end to the insecurity in the South-East. We need him to have a genuine discussion about Nigeria. We have faith in Nigeria, and we are Nigerians.
“We, some time ago set up the Truth and Reconciliation Committee to find out the root cause of insecurity in the South East and they have almost concluded their assignment.
“But this issue of insecurity cannot be well addressed without bringing to the table the key players in this matter.
“We have applied the kinetic and non kinetic approach to fighting insecurity in the South East but the non kinetic approach cannot be complete without the Federal Government releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“We must bring him to the table because we need him to be part of this process and I call on the Federal Government to release him to me and for us to have a comprehensive discussion for the fate of the South East.
“If we are unable to release him based on the court process, I offer myself as the surety for his release, and I will hand him over to you whenever you want him.”
“We will provide him with shelter and a home, and we make this plea in the true spirit of peace in the South East.”
“Anambra is the home of APGA and the home of progressives,” Soludo said, urging Nigerians to vote APGA all the way.
“We are progressives, which is why we allowed other political parties and their candidates to campaign here because the state believes in a level playing field for all and sundry to campaign, which some people did not do while they were here.”
Justice Peter Umeadi (retd), the APGA presidential candidate, described himself as the most qualified candidate to lead the country, adding that his presidency would unite the country.
Umeadi also stated that he was the most transparent candidate among those running for president of the country.
The APGA presidential candidate stated that since becoming the APGA’s candidate in June of last year, he has canvassed votes across Nigeria.
He assured Nigerians that he would present a realistic manifesto that would address true federalism, agricultural revolution, education, sports and culture, healthcare delivery, knowledge-economy, human security, transportation and communication, women, youth, children, and the disabled, environmental impact assessment, and census in Nigeria.
Chief Willie Obiano, a former governor of Anambra State, described APGA as the party to beat, predicting that the party would sweep the polls on February 25.
“We’ve had 21 over 21, 19 over 21, and this time it’s going to be 21 over 21,” he added.
At the rally, the party presented flags to the party’s governorship candidates in Delta, Nasarawa, Jigawa, Adamawa, and Abia states, as well as state and National Assembly candidates.
