…seeks Support from Abians
By Ogochukwu Isioma, Umuahia
Foremost governorship candidate in the forthcoming March 11, 2023 gubernatorial election in Abia State, Chief Mascot Uzor Kalu, says a political solution remains the best option to resolve the federal government’s impasse with the detained Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Kanu has been in Department of State Services (DSS) custody since June 2021 after he was renditioned by the Nigerian government from Kenya in June 2021, an action his lawyers termed as “illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional extradition.”
The outspoken IPOB leader has been standing trial on charges bordering on alleged treasonable felony and terrorism before the Federal High Court in Abuja, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
•Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB leader.
Speaking on a radio programme on Real FM, Aba, on Tuesday, monitored by Igbere TV, Chief Mascot said he strongly believes Kanu’s release requires more of a political approach than a legal one.
The Action Peoples Party (APP) gubernatorial candidate spoke when a caller phoned in during the live radio programme to inquire about his position or stance on Kanu’s case.
Addressing the caller, Chief Mascot Uzor Kalu said a political solution was still possible for the IPOB leader’s release from custody in this circumstance.
According to the former Chief of Staff to Abia State Governor, such a political solution may not come easy, however, such move is what the case requires at this time.
Although he did not totally rule out a legal solution, Chief Mascot, however, believes a political solution from Abia henchman was the best approach on the matter.
Chief Mascot who acknowledged that other South East leaders may have tried to intervene in the matter, however, believes an intervention from a governor of Kanu’s Abia home state would carry more weight.
“I believe that, at this point, only the Governor of Abia State – where Nnamdi Kanu hail from – has the more political will to seek or secure a political release for Nnamdi Kanu,” he said.
The APP governorship candidate declared that, if elected as governor, he would seek and negotiate the release of the IPOB leader, adding, “only the Governor of Abia has the political will to seek or secure a political release for Kanu.”
“It is achievable and realisable but only through a strong political will,” Chief Mascot insisted that the political solution should come from the Abia state government.
