Samuel Anyanwu, a former senator who represented Imo east, has asked traditional rulers, religious and political leaders in the south-east not to abandon Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Kanu has been in DSS custody since his arrest and extradition to Nigeria in June.
The IPOB leader is facing charges bordering on treasonable felony brought against him by the federal government over his campaign for the Republic of Biafra.
In a statement by Ikenna Onuoha, his special adviser, the senator urged Igbo leaders not to shy away from identifying with Kanu, adding that since no court has convicted him of any offence, he should not be abandoned.
Anyanwu said despite Kanu’s “controversial arrest”, he remains innocent of all the allegations levelled against him until a competent court proves otherwise.
The senator, who is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), urged the Igbo to toe the same line of action the Yoruba leaders adopted in defending Sunday Adeyemo, a youth leader better known as Sunday Igboho.
He added that Kanu’s arrest should not stop anyone away from speaking against marginalisation of the region.
“When the Igbo begin to desert their own to incarceration, strangers will cease to accord respect to them,” he said.
“All hands must be on deck, irrespective of political affiliations, to ensure the speedy release of one of our own. As an Igbo man, no way shall we deny him even if convicted.”
He also urged south-east governors to urgently intervene and dialogue with the federal government in order to fast-track Kanu’s release.