The youth wing of the apex Igbo socio cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has urged President Muhammad Buhari to order the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as a new year gift to Ndigbo

Ohanaeze Ndigbo youth council worldwide made the appeal in a statement by it’s President General, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike

It was reported that Buhari had last week ruled out the possibility of a political solution to kanu’s freedom. This was after he had earlier told a delegation of Igbo leaders that he would look into kanu’s case

Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra, IPOB, has been in detention weeks after his re arrest in Kenya, a situation that has continued to create tension in the south East region

He’s expected to appear in court tomorrow, Tuesday, where his lawyers would make further argument for his bail

In a statement made available to news men on Monday in Enugu, Okwu urged President Buhari to reconsider his hard stance on the IPOB leader’s incarceration

The Ohanaeze chieftain noted that as a father, the president should not be pandering to the advice of a few people which is not in the best interest of the country

We are all witnesses to the unrest that has been ravaging the south East region since the re arrest of Nnamdi Kanu and detention. The detention has only worsened matters and this is why we are making a passionate appeal to Mr President to release him unconditionally

Recall that the use of force never worked in the Niger Delta region until the late President Yar’adua brought in amnesty and peace was restored. Mr president must take a cue from that and discountenance those urging him not to free Kanu

The highest new year gift he should give to Ndigbo is to accept the political solution on Kanu’s case, Okwu said

He, however advised the leadership of IPOB to equally toe the line of peace and avoid making further statements that are worsening the situation. They should give peace a chance and allow the ongoing negotiation efforts not to be in vain. This is why all forms of sit at home have to end, he advised

He appealed to the south East governors, national assembly caucus from the south East and other Igbo leaders to continue their efforts towards securing Kanu’s freedom.