On Tuesday, April 25, a federal high court in Abuja, presided by Justice Binta Nyako, granted Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the
indigenous people of Biafra, IPOB, bail on health grounds. Among the teeming supporters that thronged the court premises were Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose and former minister for aviation, Femi Fani Kayode.
A key issue about the bail is that the federal government has in the past refused to obey court orders granting Kanu bail. His current bail has therefore, prompted discussions about the stringent bail conditions and the willingness of this administration to release him.
There are concerns that this time things will be different, going by the prominent voices across political divide that have joined the call for Kanu’s release. There is a sense that Nnamdi Kanu is a new bride that is being courted ahead of 2019 general elections.
The presence of Fayose and Kayode in court may give credence to this assertion. Since both are members of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, hoping to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, their presence in court speaks volumes.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu is among high profile Nigerian leaders who called for Kanu’s release. Others were former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo; Prof. Pat Utomi, Dr Ferdinard Agu, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu; Law Mefor, Rev. Fr. C. Jude, Udenta Udenta, Ebere Onwudiwe, Emeka Ugwu-Oju, Tony Nnadi, Sam Amadi, Innocent Chukwuma A, Collins Ugwu, Andy Wabali, among others.
Politicians from the APC also joined the call for Kanu’s release. Imo state governor, Rochas Okorocha, was of the view that Kanu’s detention was only making a hero out of him hence he should be released.
“I think what we must do as Igbo is to let the Federal Government see the reasons to release Kanu because keeping Kanu there is making him a hero out of nothing. He should be released. Since he made inciting statements, he has not killed, he is not found guilty, he should be released.
“And even what he did is not just an order or threat to government; all that he is charged with, is he guilty of it? Has he done anything wrong? So, we must let the government understand that Kanu is not worth the trouble being attached to him”. Okorocha said.
Rochas Okorocha’s claim that “Kanu is not worth the trouble being attached him” is rather false. His detention has led to the killing of unarmed protesters in Port Harcourt, Aba and Onitsha. A claim that Amnesty International supports, and the Nigerian army denies. His detention renewed vigour in the agitation for a sovereign state of Biafra.
Kanu’s Biafra struggle is on the back drop of a belief that the Nigerian state has continued to marginalize the Igbos of south eastern Nigeria. He has been critical of the abuse of the rule of law, corruption of the leaders and the underdevelopment of the region in recent memory.
Many within the South-East and South-South region have clearly bought into his sentiments. Although, President Buhari has made it clear that his administration will not preside over a divided Nigeria.
The continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu and disregard for judgments granting him bail sent the message home. The current administration is also being accused of neglecting south easterners when it comes to key appointments.
So, the administration remains unpopular in that region. Although there have been a some defection from the APC recently. One thing that is clear is fact that the people of the region need to be pacified somehow. Some have suggested presidency as a way of doing that but that is far-fetched because the north will want to complete two tenure of eight years.
The other way to garner support and calm frayed nerves is to release Nnamdi Kanu.The show of support from political leaders can be interpreted as a way to get goodwill from people from the zone and ensure their votes. In fact, IPOB had recently commended governors from the south east for calling for Kanu’s release.
A rare move from the secessionist group. Fayose, who says he has recently identified with the Biafran struggle, has volunteered to raise funds for Kanu’s family needs and legal defence. This is a thoughtful gesture, but one that is open to interpretations considering the somewhat divisive nature of Fayose.
For now we may not know the plot behind Kanu’s bail conditions as it restricts him from granting interviews but it will not be surprising to see many groups claim credit for it with the hope of cashing in on it for political gain in the near future.
