A former national chairman of the United Progressives Party (UPP) and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Chekwas Okorie, has tasked the Federal Government to pursue a political solution to resolve the secessionist agitations by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu and that of the Yoruba Nation, Sunday Igboho.
Okorie, who spoke when he chaired the inauguration of the newly elected chairman of Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Enugu State Council, Comrade Lawrence Njoku and his executive, called on the Federal Government to release Kanu, Igboho and others who were prisoners of conscience, using political and diplomatic manner.
He pointed out that the Biafran agitation was being fuelled by the marginalization of the Igbo in Nigeria and urged the Federal Government to be committed to totally solving the Biafran problem in Nigeria.
Okorie said, “What I want to say is Nnamdi Kanu is pursuing an agenda that borders on marginalization, persecution, alienation of the Igbo people. He didn’t start it; Ralph Uwazuruike started it and somewhere along the line Uwazuruike’s effort began to wane and he (Kanu) came into it in 2012 with Radio Biafra. By 2014, his efforts have gained traction and of course, he became a thorn in the flesh of not just the Federal Government but some Igbo leaders who have not discharged their duties creditably and the sentiment of the Igbo people are with him.
“But if you ask Igbo people, many will say it, others will not say it. But I am one of those who will say it; the issue of Nnamdi Kanu cannot be solved in the law courts no matter the technicality and the legalities you bring to bear. Even if you bring the best lawyers in Nigeria and the best judges, it cannot be solved in the law court. It can only be solved through dialogue. And there are people they can engage or if they cannot engage them, there are people who are making themselves available for that engagement.
“For instance the Southeast caucus in the National Assembly has come together to say they want to engage the government on this aspect. So, President Buhari should not overlook this opportunity of engagement.
“If we bring out Nnamdi Kanu and other prisoners of conscience, there is no way they will not listen to those who made it possible for them to breathe the air of freedom again.”