Traditional rulers in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State have advised the Federal Government to engage agitators in the South East in genuine dialogue to address their demands.
In a statement titled “The Deliberate Humiliation of Ndigbo,” the royal fathers accused the Federal Government of using brute force against agitators while negotiating with those from other regions.
The statement, signed by HRM Eze Innocent Nwaigwe and HRH Eze C Emelike, among others, read in part: “For 25 years since the agitation began in the South East, no government has reached out to the agitators to genuinely engage them in a dialogue… Rather, brute force has been regularly visited on them.”
The monarchs demanded the immediate release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and accused those pretending to work for his release of sabotaging genuine efforts.
“Those blocking direct engagement and dialogue with the agitators… are the ones actually responsible for the crisis in the land,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, Kanu’s community, Isiama Afaraukwu Autonomous Community, celebrated the new yam festival in low-key to sympathize with him.
The traditional ruler, HRH Eze Amaechi Ugwueje, said, “We cannot be celebrating while our son is languishing in detention.”
Eze Ugwueje urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release Kanu as a sign of love for Ndigbo, saying it would help restore peace in the South East.
He said, “I am using this medium in pleading with President Ahmed Tinubu to consider using his Executive powers in releasing our son to us.”
